TVie  s*Vory  of  Jesuvs. 
JoK-nDuke.  N\cFo\c*e.n . 


I.IC.I5 


"V^  PRINCETON,  N.  J.  *fr 


Division. .J&.^..K'^'  &» 


-&^-H^?- 


THE    ^^ 


STORY  OF  JBSUS 


JAN  16  1918 


And  without  controversy  great  is  the  mystery  ot 
godliness:  God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh,  justified  in 
the  Spirit,  seen  of  angels,  preached  unto  the  Gentiles, 
believed  on  in  the  world,  received  up  into  glory.— Paul. 


BY  y 

REV.  JOHN   DUKE   McFADEN, 


PHILADELPHIA: 

THE  BRETHREN  TRACT  SOCIETY. 
LOCK  BOX  758. 

1897. 


"A  Man  of  Sorrows  and  Acquainted  with  Grief- 
Isaiah,  53d  chapter. 

[The  above  head  is  unique— it  is  made  from  one  line,  yet  is  a  *bml»ip.i 
tlon  of  circles;  a  circle  is  a  sign  of  perfection,  and  we  know  JeAis  is  th. 
perfect  man.] 


THE  STORY  OF  JESUS. 


[Copyrighted,  1888,  by  John  Duke  McFaden.] 
All  rights  reserved. 

The  story  of  Jesus  is  the  most  wonderful  ever  told :  start- 
ing in  eternity,  unfolding  in  time,  it  reaches  the  throne, 
touching  the  Manger,  the  Temple,  the  Jordan,  the  Garden, 
the  Hall,  the  Cross,  and  the  Tomb.  Rooted  in  love, 
developed  in  numility,  it  thrills  with  delight  all  who  par- 
take of  its  fruit — Salvation. 

The  story  of  Jesus  is  always  new ;  the  oldest,  yet  the  new- 
est. The  story  of  every  other  man  becomes  old  and  thread- 
bare ;  like  a  sponge  squeezed  dry,  it  is  exhausted  by  the  hand 
of  the  historian,  but  the  story  of  Jesus  is  never  exhausted ; 
like  the  current  of  Niagara,  which  never  freezes  over  in 
winter,  nor  dries  up  in  summer,  it  is  ever  fresh  and  spark- 
ling. 

The  story  of  Jesus  is  true.  It  is  not  spun  from  the  un- 
tamed imagination  of  some  fallible  mortal,  nor  compiled 
from  musty  archives,  for  the  purpose  of  passing  away  dull 
hours.  God  is  its  author,  Jesus  its  centre,  and  salvation  its 
object :  "  For  we  have  not  followed  cunningly  devised 
fables."  2  Pet  i.  16.  Truly  we  can  say  :  "  For  I  am  not 
ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  for  it  is  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth." — Rom.  i.  16. 

The  story  of  Jesus  has  been  written  to  turn  the  thoughts 
of  others,  especially  the  young,  to  the  sweet  old  story  as 
found  complete  in  the  "  word."  If  one  learns  to  love  Jesus 
more  and  the  world  less,  the  writer  will  rejoice.    May  the 


(4| 

story  be  told  from  Pulpit,  Platform,  and  Press,  until  every 
heart  shall  thrill,  and  every  soul  be  saved. 

"  Let  us  tell  the  same  old  story, 
Of  salvation  full  and  free, 
Tell  of  Jesus  and  his  glory ; 
And  his  death  on  Calvary. 
Some  may  hear  it  by  the  wayside, 
Burdened  by  the  weight  of  sin; 
Now,  while  mercy's  door  is  open, 
They  may  all  be  gathered  in." 
John  Duke  McFaden, 

2437  N.  8th  St.,  Phila.,  Pa. 


Tell  Me  the  Story  of  Jesus. 

[By  Permission  of  J.  J.  Hood.] 

Tell  me  the  story  of  Jesus, 

Write  on  my  heart  ev'ry  word, 
Tell  me  the  story  most  precious, 

Sweetest  that  ever  was  heard; 
Tell  how  the  angels,  in  chorus, 

Sang  as  they  welcomed  his  birth,— 
Glory  to  God  in  the  highest! 

Peace  and  good  tidings  to  earth. 

Fasting,  alone,  in  the  desert, 

Tell  of  the  days  that  he  passed, 
How  for  our  sins  he  was  tempted, 

Yet  was  triumphant  at  last; 
Tell  of  the  years  of  his  labor, 

Tell  of  the  sorrows  he  bore, 
He  was  despised  and  alllieted, 

Homeless,  rejected  and  poor. 

Tell  of  the  cross  where  they  nailed  him, 

Writhing  in  anguish  and  pain, 
Tell  of  the  grave  where  they  laid  him. 

Tell  how  he  liveth  again  ; 
Love  in  that  story  so  tender, 

Clearer  than  ever  I  see; 
Stay,  let  me  weep  while  you  whisper, 

Love  paid  the  ransom  for  me. — Fanny  Crosby, 


<«) 


THE  VOICE  OF  HIM  THAT  CRIETH  IN  THE  WILDERNESS." — lsa.  XJL  * 


(6) 

feE  Story  of  a  Way  Prepared. 

"The  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness,  Prepare  y6 
the  way  of  the  Lord,  make  his  paths  straight." — Luke  iii.  4. 

"  No  war,  nor  battle's  sound, 

Was  heard  the  world  around. 
The  idle  spear  and  shield  were  high  uphung, 

The  hooked  chariot  stood 

Unstained  with  hostile  blood, 
The  trumpet  spake  not  to  the  armed  throng ; 
And  kings  sat  still  with  awful  eye, 
As  if  they  surely  knew  their  sovereign  Lord  was  by." 

Some  years  ago  a  man  had  on  exhibition  a  South 
American  serpent,  which  coiled  around  the  man,  who  con- 
trolled the  movements  of  its  great  folds  by  firmly  grasping 
its  neck.  When  the  serpent  drew  its  folds  tight,  the  man 
would  tighten  his  hand  around  its  neck,  and  thus  choke  it 
until  its  muscles  would  relax.  One  day  a  woman  stood 
before  the  man,  watching  the  coils  of  the  serpent.  She  had 
more  curiosity  than  judgment.  Taking  a  pin,  she  thrust  it  to 
the  head  into  the  serpent's  body  ;  mad  with  pain  it  suddenly 
contracted  its  mighty  folds,  and  before  he  could  tighten  his 
grasp  crushed  him  to  death. 

The  man  thought  he  controlled  the  serpent,  but  the 
serpent  controlled  him,  and  in  an  unlooked-for  moment 
death  came. 

Thousands  of  years  ago  the  old  serpent  called  Satan 
entered  Eden  and  coiled  around  Adam  and  Eve.  One  act  of 
disobedience  placed  them  under  his  control,  and  death 
followed. 

Satan  succeeded  through  misrepresentation.  "And  the 
Lord  God  commanded  the  man,  saying,  Of  every  tree  of  the 
garden  thou  mayest  freely  eat;  but  of  the  tree  of  the 
knowledge  of  good  and  evil  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it:  for  in 
the  day  that  thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  surely  die." — » 
Gen.  ii.  16.  17. 


(7) 

Satan  said :  "  Ye  shall  not  surely  die."  Pleased  with  the 
beauty  of  the  fruit,  and  desiring  to  be  wise,  God  was  dis- 
obeyed, and  the  race  was  crushed. 

God  forgave  the  guilty  pair,  but  banished  them  from 
Eden,  that  the  death  they  died  might  not  be  eternal. 

"  Behold  the  man  is  become  as  one  of  us,  to  know  good 
and  evil;  and  now,  lest  he  put  forth  his  hand,  and  take 
also  of  the  tree  of  life  and  eat,  and  live  forever;  therefore 
the  Lord  God  sent  him  forth  from  the  garden  of  Eden,  to 
till  the  ground  from  whence  he  was  taken.  So  he  drove  out 
the  man,  and  placed  at  the  east  of  the  garden  of  Eden 
cherubim,  and  a  flaming  sword  which  turned  every  way,  to 
keep  the  way  of  the  tree  of  life." — Gen.  iii.  22-24. 

God  punished  the  serpent  without  forgiveness,  and  ar- 
ranged with  the  race  through  Eve,  for  One  who  should 
bruise  the  serpent's  head,  destroy  death,  and  admit  to  the 
tree  of  life. 

"  The  Lord  said  unto  the  serpent,  Because  thou  hast  done 
I  his,  thou  art  cursed  above  all  cattle,  and  above  every  beast 
of  the  field ;  upon  thy  belly  shalt  thou  go,  and  dust  shalt 
thou  eat  all  the  days  of  thy  life :  and  I  will  put  enmity 
between  thee  and  the  woman,  and  between  thy  seed  and 
her  seed:  it  shall  bruise  thy  head,  and  thou  shalt  bruise  his 
heel.r— Gen.  iii.  14,  15. 

Eve  looked  for  the  promise  to  be  fulfilled  in  her  day. 
When  Cain  was  born,  she  exclaimed :  "  I  have  gotten  a 
man,  "  or,  as  Luther  reads  it,  "  I  have  gotten  the  man  from 
the  Lord.  "  The  promised  serpent  bruiser  has  come;  but, 
like  many  a  mother,  she  was  mistaken  in  her  first-born.; 
He  rejected  God,  and  slew  his  brother.  As  a  substitute  for 
Cain,  God  gave  Seth.  Through  him  and  his  descendants 
the  promise  made  to  Eve  was  handed  down  to  Noah  ;  from 
Noah  through  Shem  to  Abraham  ;  from  Abraham  through 
Isaac  to  Jacob,  in  whose  day  the  Jewish  nation  was  planted, 
which   became   the  repository  for  God's  truth,  and  ail  ite 


to 

types  and  ceremonies,  supported  by  the  writings  of  Moses 
and  the  prophets,  pointed  to  Christ,  the  Lamb  of  God,  who 
should  take  away  the  sin  of  the  world. 

These  Prophets,  Priests,  and  Kings  were  the  poles  hold- 
ing up  the  wire,  over  which  the  promise  came,  reaching 
from  Eden's  closed  gate  to  Bethlehem's  open  door.  God 
stood  at  one  end  of  the  line  and  said  of  the  woman's  seed : 
14  It  shall  bruise  thy  head.  "  Gabriel,  at  the  other  end  of 
the  line,  took  the  message,  and  said  : 

"  Fear  not,  Mary :  for  thou  hast  found  favor  with  God. 
And,  behold,  thou  shalt  conceive  in  thy  womb,  and  bring 
forth  a  son,  and  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus.  He  shall  be 
great,  and  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  the  Highest,  and  the 
Lord  God  shall  give  unto  him  the  throne  of  his  father 
David:  and  he  shall  reign  over  the  house  of  David  forever; 
and  of  his  kingdom  there  shall  be  no  end." — Luke  i.  30-33. 

The  angel  Gabriel,  before  appearing  to  Mary,  appeared 
to  Zacharias,  while  burning  incense  in  the  temple,  and 
said  : 

"  Fear  not,  Zacharias,  for  thy  prayer  is  heard,  and  thy 
wife  Elizabeth  shall  bear  thee  a  son,  and  thou  shalt  call  his 
name  John." — Luke  i.  13. 

Zacharias,  at  the  birth  of  John,  was  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  exclaimed :  "And  thou,  child,  shalt  be  called 
the  prophet  of  the  Highest:  for  thou  shalt  go  before  the 
face  of  the  Lord  to  prepare  his  ways.  " — Luke  i.  76. 

Thus  the  plan  of  God  was  unfolding,  and  a  way  was 
being  prepared  for  Christ.  Isaiah,  hundreds  of  years  be- 
fore, referred  to  John  when  he  said : 

"The  voice  of  him  that  crieth  in  the  wilderness,  Prepare 
ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make  straight  in  the  desert  a  high- 
way for  our  God.  Every  valley  shall  be  exalted,  and  every 
mountain  and  hill  shall  be  made  low :  and  the  crooked 
shall  be  made  straight,  and  the  rough  places  plain  ;  and 
the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  revealed,  and  all  fiesh  shall 


gee  it  together,  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it." 
— Isa.  xl.  3-5. 

John  the  Baptist,  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  Elias,  came 

and  cried :  "  Repent  ye,  for  the  kingdom  is  at  hand 

I  indeed  baptize  you  with  water  unto  repentance :  but  he 
that  cometh  after  me  is  mightier  than  I,  whose  shoes  I  am 
not  worthy  to  bear ;  he  shall  baptize  you  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  with  fire:  whose  fan  is  in  his  hand,  and  he  will 
throughly  purge  his  floor,  and  gather  his  wheat  into  the 
garner ;  but  he  will  burn  up  the  chaff  with  unquenchable 
fira"— Matt.  iii.  1-12. 


John  The  Forerunner. 

Before  the  summer  comes  the  spring; 

And  buds  the  autumn  fruits  forerun; 
The  trumpeter  precedes  the  king; 

The  morning  star  before  the  sun. 

Before  Messiah's  earthly  reign, 
Ere  yet  he  was  revealed  to  sight ; 

Before  the  Holy  Nazarene, 
Came  John,  the  lowly  Nazarite. 

Most  simple  was  his  rustic  fare ; 

Wild  and  uncouth  his  Arab  dress; 
His  constant  habitations  were 

Wild  places  of  the  wilderness. 

He  was  the  witness  of  his  Lord, 
The  herald  of  the  coming  King, 

"The  preacher  of  his  Master's  word, 
The  tidings  of  his  grace  to  bring. 

The  people  flocked  from  every  side, 
And  multitudes  from  all  the  land 

Now  heard  the  voice  of  him  that  cried, 
"  Repent,  the  kingdom  is  at  hand !  n 

He  was  a  bold,  unswerving  man : 
Stern  messenger  sent  on  before, 

To  wield  the  searching,  sifting  fan, 
And  throughly  purge  the  threshing-floor. 


(10* 

A  man  of  strong  and  earnest  might, 

No  beading  reed  before  the  wind; 
A  burning  and  a  shining  light, 

Until  the  Greater  Light  had  sbiued. 

This  was  the  path  the  Baptist  trod  : 

By  true  repentance,  fasting,  prayer, 
To  guide  to  Jesus,  Son  of  God, 

And  leave  his  Master  matchless  there^ 

And  as  the  morning  sun  mounts  high, 
The  morning  star  must  needs  decrease, 

Until  "  the  Mightier  than  I " 
Commands  the  servant's  work  to  cease. 

— Robert  Jtlaguwrt, 


The  Story  of  His  Birth. 

"Fear  not:  for,  behold,  I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great 
joy,  which  shall  be  to  all  people.  For  unto  you  is  born 
this  day  in  the  city  of  David  a  Saviour  which  is  Christ  the 
Lord."— Luke  ii.  10,  11. 

There's  a  song  in  the  air! 

There's  a  star  in  the  sky  I 
There's  a  mother's  deep  prayer 
And  a  baby's  low  cry ! 
And  the  star  rains  its  fire  while  the  Beautiful  sing, 
For  the  manger  of  Bethlehem  cradles  a  King. 
• 
In  the  light  of  that  star 

Lie  the  ages  impearled ; 
And  that  song  from  afar 
Has  swept  o'er  the  world. 
Every  hearth  is  a  flame,  and  the  Beautiful  sing 
In  the  homes  of  the  nations  that  Jesus  is  King. 

Robert  Bruce,  one  of  Scotland's  heroes,  when  dying,  gave 
orders  to  bury  his  heart  in  the  Holy  Land.  After  death  his 
heart  was  taken  from  his  body  and  placed  in  a  casket  of 
gold.    This  precious  relic  was  guarded  by  Sir  James,  Lord 


(11) 


of  Douglas,  who  called  his  knights  together  and  started  for 
the  land  made  holy  by  the  presence  of  Jesus.  On  the  way 
they  met  enemies,  and  gave  them  battle.  Pressed  on  every 
side  by  great  numbers,  Scotland's  braves  were  about  to  be 
defeated.  Sir  James  thought  of  the  heart  of  Bruce,  which 
be  carried  in  his  bosom. 

Then  in  his  stirrups  tip  be  stood, 

So  lion-like  and  bold, 
And  held  the  precious  heart  aloft, 

All  in  its  case  of  gold. 

The  soldiers  saw  and  knew  what  it  was,  and  they  were 
inspired  with  the  thoughts  it  called  to  mind.  Then 
Douglas  with  his  strong  arm  flung  the  casket  as  far  as  he 
could  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy,  saying:  "Pass  thou 
first,  thou  dauntless  heart,  as  thou  wert  wont  of  yore !  "  The 
troops  rallied,  they  pressed  after  the  heart  of  Bruce,  and 
won  the  victory. 

The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  was  the  heart  of  God,  thrown  in 
the  ranks  of  sin  for  a  great  object.  Satan  waft  gaining 
ground  in  the  world,  and  the  cause  of  truth  was  in  danger 
of  being  defeated.  There  was  no  pure  heart  around  whom 
the  good  could  rally  hence. 

"  God  so  loved  the  world  as  to  give  his  only  begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  beJieveth  on  him  might  not  perish,  but 
have  everlasting  life." — John  iii.  16.  Christ  was  fchi&  Soiv 
of  God ;  "  Unto  you  is  born  this  day  in  the  city  of  David  a 
Saviour,  which  is  Christ  the  Lord." — Luke  ii.  11. 

Around  this  divine  heart  of  God,  angels  and  the  best  of 
humanity  have  rallied,  and  we  will  win  the  victory. 

The  saints  in  all  this  glorious  war 

Shall  conquer  though  they  die, 
They  see  the  triumph  from  afar, 

By  faith  they  bring  it  nigh. 

The  heart  of  God  commenced  to  throb  in  the  low^rft  strata 


OH; 

of  earth :  "And  she  brought  forth  her  first-born  son,  and 
wrapped  hirn  in  swaddling  clothes  and  .'aid  him  in  a 
manger,  because  there  was  no  room  for  them  in  the  inn." — 
Luke  ii.  7. 

Jesuc  could  have  been  born  in  a  palace  of  gold,  rocked  in 
a  cradle  of  pearl,  covered  with  robes  of  lace,  and  nursed  by 
Queens  had  he  so  wished ;  but  then  the  poor  and  needy 
would  have  been  at  too  great  a  distance  from  him,  so  he 
passed  by  earthly  thrones  and  palaces  and  became  pocr 
that  we  through  his  poverty  might  be  made  rich.  Chateau- 
briand says : 

"  He  is  not  born  in  purple,  but  in  the  humble  abode  of 
indigence ;  he  has  not  been  announced  to  the  great  and  the 
mighty,  but  angels  have  proclaimed  the  tidings  to  men  of 
low  estate ;  he  has  not  assembled  the  opulent,  but  the  needy 
around  his  cradle,  and  by  this  first  act  of  his  life  declared 
himself  in  preference  the  God  of  the  miserable." 

The  story  of  his  birth  contains  three  points  worthy  of 
your  special  consideration. 

First.  He  was  born  of  a  certain  family.  The  promise  of 
a  serpent  bruiser,  made  to  Eve,  was  handed  down  to  Noah 
through  Seth's  family ;  it  was  handed  from  Noah  to  Abraham 
through  Shem's  family;  it  was  handed  from  Abraham  to 
Jacob  through  Isaac ;  it  was  handed  from  Jacob  to  David 
through  Judah's  family.  From  Eve  to  Mary  runs  a  certain 
line  or  family.  The  best  blood  of  the  world  flowed  through 
the  human  heart  of  Jesus. 

Second.  He  was  born  in  a  certain  place.  Seven  hundred 
years  before  Christ  came,  his  prophet  said:  "But  thou 
Bethlehem-Ephratah,  though  thou  be  little  among  the  thou- 
sands of  Judah,  yet  out  of  thee  shall  he  come  forth  unto  me 
that  is  to  be  ruler  in  Israel." — Micah  v.  2.  Caesar  Augustus 
passed  a  law  that  all  the  world  over  which  he  had  control 
should  be  taxed.  To  obey  this  command  Joseph  and  Mary 
]fift  Nazareth  and  went  to  Bethlehem,  the  city  of  David, 


their  shire  town,  and  here,  according  to  prophecy,  Jesus  was 
horn.  Bethlehem  was  called  the  house  of  bread,  and  the 
one  born  here  said :  "  I  am  the  bread  of  life." 

Third,  He  was  born  at  a  certain  time.  Jacob  when 
dying  said :  "  The  sceptre  shall  not  depart  from  Judah, 
nor  a  lawgiver  from  between  his  feet,  until  Shiloh  come; 
and  unto  him  shall  the  gathering  of  the  people  be." — Gen. 
xlix.  10.  Ruling  power  would  be  in  Judah's  family  until 
Christ  the  King  should  come.  That  ruling  power  departed 
from  Judah  when  his  family,  in  obedience  to  Augustus, 
signed  away  their  liberty  and  had  placed  on  them  the  yoke 
of  Rome,  but  Christ  was  born  before  those  rights  were 
signed  away,  and  the  dying  words  of  Jacob  fulfilled,  Christ 
the  Shiloh  came,  and  he  said :  "  If  I  be  lifted  up  I  will 
draw  all  men  unto  me,"  and  his  enemies  said  :  "The  whole 
world  has  gone  after  him." — John  xii.  19. 


Sing  high,  sing  low,  sing  to  and  fro, 
Go  tell  it  forth  with  speed  : 

Cry  out  and  shout  all  round  about, 
That  Christ  is  horn  indeed. 


That  Christ  was  born  of  a  certain  line,  in  a  certain  place, 
at  a  certain  time,  shows  that  all  was  divine.  "  Great  is  the 
mystery  of  godliness :  God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh."  Do 
not  reject  Christ  as  sq,me  do  because  of  mystery.  There  is 
mystery  about  yourself;  you  cannot  tell  why  one  part  of 
your  eye  is  white  and  another  part  blue,  yet  you  will  not 
put  your  eye  out  because  you  do  not  understand  it. 
Neither  should  you  reject  Christ  because^  there  are  some 
things  connected  with  his  life  you  do  not  understand.  If 
you  accept  nature  with  its  mystery,  be  consistent  and  ac- 
cept revelation  with  its  mystery.  The  same  God  who 
brought  A.dam  into  the  world  without  woman  could  bring 
Christ  into  the  world  without  man. 


The  Infant  Saviour. 

Methinks  I  stand  within  the  manger  dow, 
Gazing  upon  the  infant  God,  who  lies, 
Smiling,  upon  the  Holy  Mother's  breast. 
Upon  his  face  the  light  of  love  beams  forth, 
And  in  his  eye  sweet  mercy  sits  enthroned, 
While  on  his  lofty  brow  the  stamp  of  heaven 
proclaims  him  more  than  mortal — now  methinks 
I  hear  the  shouting  shepherds  cry  aloud, 
Glad  tidings,  from  a  hundred  hills,  and  peace 
To  all  the  fallen  world,  for,  lo !  a  child. 
The  great  Redeemer  of  mankind,  is  born ! 
Oh !  glorious  hour,  when  ev'n  the  greedy  grave 
Gave  up  its  victory,  and  in  man's  heart 
Death's  dark  winged  angel  left  his  sting  no  more! 
Oh  !  glorious  hour,  when  his  Almighty  hand 
Hung  the  bright  rainbow  of  redemption  round 
A  dying  and  degraded  world,  and  bade 
The  gentle  moonlight  of  sweet  mercy  chase 
Away  the  midnight  mists  of  sin  and  shame  1 
Then  man  was  truly  made  immortal — then 
The  golden  gates  of  heaven,  wide  open  thrown, 
Welcomed  him  home  to  happiness:  and  then 
The  happy  angels,  in  the  halls  of  heaven, 
Awoke,  upon  their  harps  of  gold,  the  song 
Of  gladness  and  of  glory  to  the  Lamb, 
Who  came  to  die  that  wretched  man  might  live. 

— Milford  Bard, 


The  Stoky  of  His  Name. 

"  Thou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus  :  for  he  shall  save  his 
people  from  their  sins." — Matt.  i.  2. 

Sweetest  note  in  seraph  song, 
Sweetest  name  on  mortal  tongue, 
Sweetest  carol  ever  sung, 
Jesus,  blessed  Jesus. 

The  name  of  Jesus  is  above  every  name :  "  God  hath  .  . 
given  him  a  name  which  is  above  every  name."    The  char- 


U»> 


"  THOU  SHALT  CALL  HIS  NAME  JESUS. 


acter,  power,  humiliation,  exaltation,  and  object  of  Jesus, 
were  beyond  the  character,  power,  humiliation,  exaltation, 
and  object  of  every  other  man  ;  hence  there  must  be  a  name 
to  correspond  with  this  character,  power,  humiliation,  exal- 
tation, and  object.  Earth  had  no  such  name,  but  heaven  had, 
and  God  sent  it  to  Mary  by  the  angel  Gabriel,  who  said  : 
"  Thou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus,  for  he  shall  save  his  people 
from  their  sins." — Matt.  i.  21. 

The  name  of  Jesus  has  taken  possession  of  the  world 
Without  this  name  the  world  would  be  thrown  into  con- 
fusion. Men  could  not  find  their  birthday  without  the  name 
of  Jesus,  and  infidels  who  blaspheme  him  cannot  announce 
a  lecture  without  using  it.  The  Christian  system  of  chro- 
nology is  used  the  world  round.  When  using  dates  the  letters 
a.  d.  are  understood.  They  stand  for  two  Latin  words,  anno 
domini — The  Year  of  our  Lord. 

If  you  wish  to  write  a  letter,  fill  up  a  marriage  license, 
record  a  will,  copyright  a  book,  find  the  day  of  your  mar- 
riage, or  locate  any  event,  you  must  call  on  Christ,  and  you 
will  find  that  event  so  many  }7ears,  months,  and  days  from 
his  birth.  Through  the  system  of  chronology  he  gave  to  the 
world  all  men  confess  him  :  "  Therefore  God  hath  also  highly 
exalted  him  and  given  him  a  name  which  is  above  every 
name,  that  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow  and 
every  tongue  confess  that  Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God 
the  Father."— Phil.  ii.  9-11. 

Jesus  is  also  called  Christ.  When  praying  to  the  Father 
he  said :  "  This  is  life  eternal,  that  they  might  know  thee 
the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  thou  hast  sent.'' 
— John  xvii.  3.  He  was  both  human  and  divine,  and  hav- 
ing a  compound  nature  he  also  had  a  compound  name. 
Jesus  means  Saviour;  Christ  means  anointed.  Jesus  Christ 
means  the  one  anointed  to  save.  With  the  human  nature 
and  name  he  touches  humanity ;  with  the  divine  nature  and 
name  he  touches  divinity ;  with  the  human  he  brings  God 
2 


(18) 

flown  to  man ;  with  the  divine  he  lifts  man  up  to  God. 
•'  Neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other  ;  for  there  is  none 
other  name  under  heaven  given  among  men,  whereby  we 
must  be  saved  " — Acts  iv.  12 — but  the  name  of  Jesus :  "  Of 
whom  the  whole  family  in  heaven  and  earth  is  named. "-^ 
Eph.  iii.  15.  

The  Queen's  Decision. 

Once  upon  a  time,  long  ago,  the  queen  of  language  sent 
forth  a  proclamation  that  on  such  a  day  there  would  be  a 
convention  of  all  classes  of  peopie,  who  might  take  her 
trusty  servants,  the  alphabet,  consisting  of  twenty-six  letters, 
and  the  one  wno  should  form  the  sweetest  word  should  be 
seated  next  to  the  queen,  and  receive  a  crown  of  gold. 

Far  and  wide  proclamation  went,  and  multitudes  began 
to  study  what  word  they  would  form ;  but,  lest  somebody 
else  should  select  his  chosen  word,  every  one  kept  silent 
and  only  looked  wise,  as  much  as  to  say,  "  I  know  some- 
thing, if  I  only  chose  to  teii.'J 

At  length  the  day  arrived >  and  there  was  the  queen,  and 
there  the  crown,  and  the  alphabet,  and  all  the  multitude. 
The  question  now  was,  who  should  first  spell  what  he  con- 
sidered the  most  beautiful  word  in  the  world.  So  the  queen 
told  them  all  carefulty  to  write  their  word  and  fold  it  up 
and  cast  it  into  a  box,  which  she  had  prepared.  She  would 
then  draw  them  out  by  lot,  read  the  word  aloud,  call  upon 
the  writer  to  stand  up,  and  she  would  then  decide  upon 
each.  So  she  drew  all  the  multitudes  close  around  her,  and 
all  were  hushed  and  silent  when  she  put  in  her  hand  and 
drew  out  a  paper.  Upon  opening  it,  she  read  aloud, 
"  Money." 

"  Whose  is  this  ?  >'  asked  the  queen. 

u  It  is  mine,"  said  an  old,  hard-faced  miser. 

"And  why  do  you  think  this  the  Bweetesl  word  in  human 
language  ?  n  said  she. 


(19) 

"Because,  madam,  money  is  what  all  want,  all  toil  for, 
and  all  rejoice  over.  It  will  buy  any  tiling,  do  anything, 
and  as  the  good  book  says,  '  Money  answereth  all  things.' 
It  is  the  sweetest  word  ever  spoken." 

"I  beg  leave  to  differ  from  you,  sir.  You  pervert  the  mean- 
ing of  the  good  book.  You  say  money  will  do  anything,  and 
procure  anything;  is  that  so?  Will  it  raise  the  sick  man 
from  a  bed  of  pain?  Will  it  cheer  and  save  the  dying  man  ? 
Will  it  heal  a  wounded  conscience?  Will  it  restore  the  dead 
babe  to  its  mother's  arms?  Will  it  open  the  door  of  heaven 
to  the  soul,  or  make  immortality  blessed  ?  No ;  it  is  a  slip- 
pery servant  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  the  body,  cr  to 
raise  the  pride,  or  to  pamper  the  appetite ;  or  a  hard 
master  to  grind  the  poor.  It  is  anything  but  the  sweetest 
word." 

She  then  put  her  hand  again  into  the  box  and  drew  out  a 
paper,  on  which  was  written  the  word  "  Honor." 

"  Who  claims  this  ?  " 

"I  do,"  said  a  fine-looking  young  man,  dressed  in 
splendid  military  garments. 

"And  what  is  your  plea  for  your  favorite  word  ?  "  said 
the  queen. 

"Why,  madam,  it  seems  to  me  too  plain  for  argument. 
The  child  at  school,  the  boy  on  the  play-ground,  the  parent 
in  planning  for  his  child,  the  scholar  in  wasting  life  over 
his  books,  the  sailor  risking  his  life  on  the  stormy  ocean, 
the  politician  in  wrestling  for  position,  and  the  soldier 
rushing  up  to  the  cannon's  mouth — all  are  witnesses  that 
honor  is  the  word,  above  all  others,  that  is  the  sweetest  to 
the  human  ear." 

"You  plead  well,"  said  the  queen;  "but  I  cannot  agree 
with  you.  Honor  is  a  powerful  instrument  with  which  to 
move  men  to  effort  and  action ;  but  you  will  notice  that  it 
appeals  to  and  cultivates  supreme  selfishness  in  the  heart, 
shuts  out  domestic  affections,  tramples  on  the  most  sacred 


(20) 

rights  of  others,  seeks  its  place  through  fields  of  hlood,  and 
often  fills  nations  with  wailing.  I  cannot  allow  you  the 
premium,  sir." 

Again  the  fair  hand  of  the  queen  drew  from  the  box,  and 
on  it  was  written  the  word  "  Love." 

"  Whose  may  this  be  ?  "  asked  the  queen  in  a  softened 
tone. 

"  Mine,  madam,"  said  a  young  man  whose  face  was  glow 
ing  with  excitement,  while  a  thousand  youths  around  him, 
and  as  many  bright-eyed  maidens,  seemed  ready  to  shout. 

"And  your  reasons,  sir  ?  " 

"  It  is  not  a  matter  of  reason,  madam,  but  it  is  the  verdict 
of  the  mother  over  her  babe,  of  that  babe  as  soon  as  he  can 
return  her  smile,  of  the  child  longing  for  home,  of  the 
widow  in  her  desolation,  of  3'outh  seeking  the  dearest  friend 
the  earth  knows,  of  age  leaning  upon  the  child  for  support. 
It  is  sung  in  the  songs  of  the  birds,  echoed  in  the  notes  of 
the  mourning  dove,  and  it  thrills  in  the  language  of  every 
living  thing.  We  have  reason  to  believe  that  it  reaches 
the  angels  of  heaven." 

"A  strong  plea,  certainly,"  said  the  queen;  ''but  I  must 
have  time  to  think  further  upon  it  before  I  decide." 

Once  more  she  drew  from  the  box,  and  the  word  was  read 
amid  great  silence,  "  Jesus." 

u  Whose  is  this?  "  said  the  queen  in  a  low,  soft  tone. 

"  I  wrote  it,"  said  a  sweet  little  girl,  almost  sinking  under 
the  eyes  that  were  turned  upon  her. 

"And  can  you,  my  child,  tell  me  the  reasons  why  you 
think  Jesus  the  sweetest  word  in  the  world  ?  " 

"No;  I  only  feel  so." 

"Truly,  little  one,  you  feel  right.  There  is  no  attribute 
of  humanity,  no  beauty  of  character,  no  greatness  in  our 
idea,  nothing  exalted,  refined,  gentle,  loving,  or  good  which 
is  not  found  in  him.  There  is  no  language  on  earth  into 
which  Jesus  cannot  be  introduced  untranslated.     The  Jew, 


(21) 

the  Greek,  the  Hottentot,  and  the  refined  nations  of  the 
earth  all  sing  the  same  name.  It  is  the  sweetest  word  on 
earth,  and  probably  the  sweetest  in  heaven.  Come,  little 
child,  and  sit  by  my  side,  and  receive  this  golden  crown, 
.faint  emblem  of  the  crown  which  Jesus  will  one  day  place 
'upon  thy  head." — Rev.  John  Todd. 


The  Story  of  His  Childhood. 
Thy  holy  Child  Jesus.— Acts  iv.  27. 

Come  hither,  ye  faithful, 

Triumphantly  sing; 
Come,  see  in  the  manger 

Our  Saviour  and  King. 

The  inspired  history  of  Jesus  in  his  youth  is  given 
twenty  words:  "And  the  child  grew,  and  waxed  strong  in 
spirit,  filled  with  wisdom,  and  the  grace  of  God  was  upon 
him." — Luke  ii.  40.  These  words  refer  more  particularly 
to  his  boyhood,  and  where  God  is  silent  man  should  not 
speak  ;  but  there  are  some  incidents  in  the  infancy  of  Jesus, 
noticed  by  the  word,  around  which  it  would  do  well  to  turn 
our  thoughts. 

1st.  The  Circumcision.  Eight  days  after  birth  Christ 
was  circumcised  according  to  the  Jewish  law.  He  who  re- 
quired obedience  first  obeyed :  "And  being  made  perfect, 
he  became  the  author  of  eternal  salvation  unto  all  them 
#iat  obey  him."— Heb.  v.  9.  By  this  act  he  was  also 
able  to  claim  descent  from  Abraham,  of  whom  it  was  said  : 
"And  in  thy  seed  shall  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  he 
blessed;  because  thou  hast  obeyed  my  voice." — Gen.  xxii. 
18.  In  the  blood  shed  he  "  gave  earnest  of  the  abun- 
dance of  blood  he  was  to  shed  for  the  redemption  of  man- 
kind." Here  at  the  outset  we  have  the  vicarious  life  of  Jesua 
brought  prominently  into  view.  He  began  to  shed  his  blood 
for  us  almost  as  soon  as  he  was  born. 


(22) 


"  TIIEY  PRESENTED  UNTO  HIM  GIFTS."— Matt.  ii.  It 


(23) 

2d.  The  Presentation  in  the  Temple.  Every  first-born 
male  child  was  taken  to  the  temple,  and  offered  as  a  priest, 
but  if  the  parents  did  not  want  the  child  to  be  raised  for 
the  priesthood,  they  redeemed  him,  by  paying  five  shekels — 
about  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents.  If  the  parents  were  too 
poor  to  pay  this  amount,  they  offered  a  pair  of  turtle-doves  or 
two  young  pigeons.  Christ  was  not  to  be  a  priest  after  the 
order  of  Aaron ;  hence  he  was  redeemed  by  his  parents, 
who  offered  two  young  pigeons:  "a  repeated  instance  of 
the  exact  obedience  of-  the  immaculate  Jesus  to  the  cere- 
monial law,  as  well  as  the  poverty  of  his  parents,  though 
descended  from  a  royal  house,  "  and  also  a  type  of  the  re- 
demption of  the  world :  "  Forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  ye 
were  not  redeemed  with  corruptible  things,  as  silver  and 
gold,  from  your  vain  conversation  received  by  tradition 
from  your  fathers ;  but  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ, 
as  of  a  lamb  without  blemish  and  without  spot." — 1  Pet.  i. 
19. 

3d.  The  Acknowledgment  of  his  Divinity.  In  the  Temple 
were  two  servants  of  God,  Simeon  and  Anna,  who  acknowl- 
edged the  divine  character  of  Jesus.  Some  writers  think 
Simeon  was  president  of  the  Sanhedrim,  and  the  father  of 
Gan-^Xy^L  who  on  one  occasion  favored  Paul. — Acts  v.  33. 

And  in  the  temple  courts  that  day 

Upon  a  virgiu's  bosom  iay 

A  Babe,  around  whose  infant  head 

A  nalo  of  orient  glory  &ned — 

A  light  that  was  reveled  to  none 

But  to  the  aged  iSimeoo. 

before  whose  eyes  it  suone  so  bright— 

'^aat  crolden  aureole  of  liartir. — 

**nd  by  the  sacred  token  snowed 

The  witness  of  incarnate  God. 

Deep  promptings  filled  the  old  man's  breast. 

His  hopes  and  fears  are  now  at  rest. 

This  is  the  promised  Christ,  the  King; 

Awake,  my  soul,  arise  and  sing  ! 


(24) 

And  there,  the  aisles  and  courts  among, 
He  uttered  forth  this  dying  song — 

"  Lord,  now  let  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  according  to 
thy  promise,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation  which 
thou  hast  prepared  before  the  face  of  all  people,  a 
light  to  enlighten  the  Gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  thy  people 
'Israel"— Luke  ii.  21-28. 

Anna,  the  aged  prophetess,  also  came  into  the  temple,  and 
recognizing  Christ,  "  gave  thanks  likewise  unto  the  Lord 
and  spake  of  him  to  all  them  that  looked  for  redemption 
in  Jerusalem." — Luke  ii.  36-38.  Thus  we  see  a  father  and 
mother  in  Israel  reaffirming  the  words  of  Gabriel  to  Mary, 
and  the  promise  of  God  to  the  race,  and  preparing  the 
chosen  family  for  a  wonderful  visit,  and  the  further  recog- 
nition of  the  one  who  came  to  seek  and  to  save  the  lost. 

4th.  The  Visit  of  the  Three  Wise  Men.  After  complying 
with  the  law  of  Moses,  the  holy  family  went  to  Nazareth, 
probably  to  settle  their  business  affairs,  after  which  they 
returned  to  Bethlehem,  where  they  were  visited  by  three- 
wise  men,  who  were  guided  into  their  presence  by  a  beau- 
tiful star.  According  to  tradition  their  names  were  Melchior, 
Gaspar,  and  Baltasar.  "And  when  they  were  come  into  the 
house,  they  saw  the  young  child  with  Mary  his  mother,  and 
fell  down  and  worshipped  him;  and  when  they  had 
opened  their  treasures,  they  presented  unto  him  gifts;  gold, 
and  frankincense,  and  myrrh." — Matt.  ii.  11.  God  who 
guided  them  to  Bethlehem  directed  them  to  go  home  in  a 
different  way  so  that  they  might  escape  Herod;  hence 
"  they  departed  into  their  own  country  another  way." 

This  visit  was  a  blessing  to  the  family  and  also  to  the 
whole  world. 

1.  It  proved  to  all  the  world  that  the  Gentiles  as  well  as 
the  Jews  had  expectations  of  Christ,  and  it  proved  the  truth 
of  all  prophecy  relating  to  Christ. 

2.  The  wise  men  gained   a  more  perfect  knowledge  of 


(85) 

Christ,  which  they  carried  to  their  own  country,  and  thus 
laid  a  foundation  for  Christian  work  in  future  ages. 

3.  It  caused  Herod  the  king  to  call  together  the  Jewish 
Sanhedrim,  composed  of  the  wisest  men  in  the  nation,  who 
in  their  official  capacity  put  on  record  the  fact  that,  accord- 
ing to  the  word  of  God,  Christ  would  be  born  in  Bethlehem 

Jof  Judea. 

j  4.  The  gifts  of  gold,  frankincense,  and  myrrh  the  wise 
men  brought  for  Christ  enriched  the  holy  family,  so  that 
when  they  had  to  flee  into  Egypt,  and  were  strangers  in  a 
strange  land,  they  had  means  by  which  they  could  live. 

The  visit  of  the  wise  men  is  still  held  in  remembrance ; 
some  churches  on  the  twelfth  day  after  Christmas  have 
services  called  the  Epiphany  ;  this  in  commemoration  of  the 
wise  men's  visit;  though  some  contend  that  the  festival 
commemorates  the  appearance  of  the  star  to  the  wise  men, 
which  is  a  symbol  of  Christ's  manifestation  to  the  Gentiles: 
"  It  is  in  accordance  with  the  latter  signification  that  the 
following  beautiful  hymn,  by  Bishop  Heber,  was  written:  M 

Brightest  and  best  of  the  sons  of  the  morning, 
Dawn  on  our  darkness  and  lend  us  thine  aid. 

Star  of  the  East,  the  horizon  adorning, 
Guide  where  our  infant  Redeemer  is  Jaid  ! 

Cold  on  his  cradle  the  dew-drops  are  shining; 

Low  lies  his  bed  with  the  beasts  of  the  stall, 
Angels  adore  him  in  slumber  reclining — 

Maker,  and  Monarch,  and  Saviour  of  all. 

Say,  shall  we  yield  him,  in  costly  devotion, 

Odors  of  Edom,  and  offerings  divine — 
Gems  of  the  mountain,  and  pearls  of  the  ocean — 

Myrrh  from  the  forest,  and  gold  from  the  mine? 

Vainly  we  offer  each  ample  oblation, 

Vainly,  with  gold,  would  his  favor  secure; 

fcicher,  by  far,  is  the  heart's  adoration, 
Dearer  to  God  are  the  prayers  of  the  poor. 


f26) 

Brightest  and  best  of  the  sons  of  the  morning, 
Dawn  on  onr  darkness  and  lend  us  thine  aid! 

Star  of  the  East,  the  horizon  adorning, 
Guide  where  our  infant  Redeemer  is  laid! 

5th.  The  Flight  into  Egypt.  When  the  wise  men  departed 
u  The  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  to  Joseph  in  a  dream, 
saying,  Arise,  and  take  the  young  child  and  his  mother,  and 
flee  into  Egypt,  and  be  thou  there  until  I  bring  thee  word', 
for  Herod  will  seek  the  young  child  to  destroy  him."  The 
angel's  warning  was  none  too  soon,  for  "  Herod,  when  he 
saw  that  he  was  mocked  of  the  wise  men,  was  exceeding 
wroth,  and  sent  forth,  and  slew  all  the  children  that  were  in 
Bethlehem,  and  in  all  the  coasts  thereof,  from  two  years  old 
and  under,  according  to  the  time  which  he  had  diligently 
inquired  of  the  wise  men." — Matt.  ii.  13-18. 

Christ  must  perish  or  these  infants.  As  the  salvation  of 
the  world  depended  on  Christ,  he  must  be  saved  at  what- 
ever cost ;  hence  he  was  taken  into  Egypt,  and  a  few  infants 
were  put  to  death.  These  children  were  the  first  martyrs 
for  Christ,  and  while  their  fate  was  no  worse  than  the  fate 
of  thousands  at  the  present  day,  yet  Christ,  no  doubt, 
recompensed  them  for  their  suffering,  and  the  mothers  for 
the  anguish  they  bore.  No  wonder  Christ  was  ever  tender 
to  children,  and  so  sweetly  said:  "Suffer  the  little  children 
to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not ;  for  of  such  is  the 
kingdom  of  God. "—Mark  x.  14.  This  passage  calls  to  mind 
Mrs  Luke's  beautiful  verses. 

Christ  Blessing  Little  Children. 

I  think  when  I  read  that  sweet  story  of  old, 

When  Jesus  was  here  among  men, 
How  he  called  little  children  as  lamhs  to  his  fold, 

I  would  like  to  have  been  with  him  then. 

I  wish  that  his  hands  had  been  placed  on  my  head, 
That  his  arms  had  been  thrown  around  me, 


(27) 

And  that  I  might  have  seen  his  kind  look  when  he  said, 
Let  the  little  ones  come  unto  me. 

Yet  still  to  his  footstool  in  prayer  I  may  go, 

And  ask  for  a  share  in  his  love ; 
And  if  I  thus  earnestly  seek  him  below, 

I  shall  see  him  and  hear  him  above. 

In  that  beautiful  place  he  is  gone  to  prepare, 

For  all  who  are  washed  and  forgiven  : 
And  many  dear  children  are  gathering  there, 

For  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

The  royal  family  remained  in  Egypt  "until  the  death 
Df  Herod ;  that  it  might  be  fulfilled  which  was  spoken  of 
the  Lord  by  the  prophet,  saying :  Out  of  Egypt  have  I 
called  ray  Son."  On  their  return  they  "dwelt  in  a  city 
called  Nazareth,  that  it  might  be  fulfilled  which  was  spoken 
by  the  prophets,  He  shall  be  called  a  Nazarene."  Thus  we 
have  the  child-life  of  Jesus  from  his  birth  until  he  goes  to 
Jerusalem  when  twelve  years  of  age  to  keep  the  passover : 
"we  must  content  ourselves  therewith,  not  seeking  to 
indulge  a  curiosity  which  such  silence  seems  to  forbid,  as 
sinful,  as  impertinent." 

The  Story  of  His  Baptism. 

u  Then  cometh  Jesus  from  Galilee  to  Jordan  unto  John,  to 
be  baptized  of  him." — Matt.  iii.  13. 

Weary  souls  that  wander  wide 

From  the  central  point  of  bliss, 
Turn  to  Jesus  crucified, 

Fly  to  those  dear  wounds  of  his. 
Sink  into  the  purple  flood, 
Rise  into  the  life  of  God. 

John  the  Baptist  having  opened  the  way,  and  the  time 
being  ripe  for  work,  Christ  applied  to  John  for  baptism. 
John  at  first  refused,  saying  :  "  I  have  need  to  be  baptized 


(28) 


THE  JuKDAtf. 


of  thee,  and  comest  thou  co  me?"  Christ  replied  :  "  Suffer  it 
to  be  so  now  :  for  thus  it  becometh  us  to  fulfil  all  right- 
eousness."    "  Then  John  baptized  Jesus. 

This  baptism  is  the  greatest  that  ever  occurred.  The  one 
baptized  was  the  Son  of  God  and  the  Saviour  of  men ;  the 
baptizer  was  a  man  trained  and  sent  by  God.  The  place 
historic:  at  the  spot  were  Jesus  was  baptized  by  John,  it  is 
said,  the  ark  of  the  covenant  was  carried  across,  when  the 
children  of  Israel  entered  the  land  of  promise. 

This  baptism  is  tne  only  occasion  on  which  all  the  three 
powers  of  the  Godhead  were  manifested.  The  Father  spake, 
the  Son  was  baptized,  the  Holy  Ghost  came  from  Father  to 
Son.  "  And  Jesus,  when  he  was  baptized,  went  up  straight- 
way out  of  the  water:  and  lo  the  heavens  were  opened 
unto  him,  and  he  saw  the  Spirit  of  God  descending  like  a 
dove,  and  lighting  upon  him  :  and  lo  a  voice  from  heaven, 
saying,  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased." 
— Matt.  iii.  13-17.  All  three  are  interested  in  the  work  of 
salvation,  and  when  Jesus  commenced  that  work  the  other 
two  united  with  him. 

At  this  baptism  the  Father  publicly  acknowledged  Christ 
to  be  his  Son.  Of  all  the  men  who  ever  lived  and  worked 
and  claimed  to  be  the  sons  of  God,  Christ  is  the  only  one 
ever  acknowledged  in  public,  by  audible  voice,  as  his  Son  t 
"This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased." 
The  Father  also  owned  him  at  the  transfiguration  :  "  This 
is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased  :  hear  ye 
him." — Matt.  xvii.  5.  If  the  Father  owns  Christ,  he  will 
receive  all  who  come  to  him  through  Christ,  and  Christ  has 
said :  "  Him  that  cometh  unto  me  I  will  in  nowise  cast 
out."— John  vi.  37. 


The  Baptism  of  Christ. 

It  was  a  green  spot  in  the  wilderness, 
Touched  by  the  river  Jordan.    The  dark  pine 


(30) 

Never  had  dropped  its  tassels  on  the  moss 
Tufting  the  leaning  bank  ;  nor  on  the  grass 
Of  the  broad  circle  stretching  evenly 
To  the  straight  larches  had  a  heavier  foot 
Than  the  wild  heron's  trodden.     Softly  in 
Through  a  long  aisle  of  willows,  dim  and  cool, 
Stole  the  clear  waters  with  their  muffled  feet, 
And,  hushing  as  they  spread  into  the  light, 
Circled  the  edges  of  the  lobbied  tank 
Slowly,  then  rippled  through  the  woods  away. 
Hither  had  come  the  apostle  of  the  wild, 
Winding  the  river's  course.     '  Twas  near  the  MiMb 
Of  eve,  and,  with  a  multitude  around, 
Who  from  the  cities  had  come  out  to  hear, 
He  stood  breast-high  amid  the  running  stream, 
Baptizing  as  the  Spirit  gave  him  power. 
His  simple  raiment  was  of  camel's  hair ; 
A  leathern  girdle  close  about  his  loins; 
His  beard  unshorn ;  and  for  his  daily  meat 
The  locust  and  wild  honey  of  the  wood. 
But  like  the  face  of  Moses  on  the  mount 
Shone  his  rapt  countenance,  and  in  his  eye 
Burned  the  mild  fire  of  love ;  and  as  he  spokd 
The  ear  leaned  to  him,  and  persuasion  swift 
To  the  chained  spirit  of  the  listener  stole. 
Silent  upon  the  green  and  sloping  bank 
The  people  sat,  and  svhile  the  leaves  were  sunken 
With  the  birds  dropping  early  to  their  nests, 
And  the  gray  eve  came  on,  within  their  hearts 
They  mused  if  he  was  Christ.    The  rippling  st 
Still  turned  its  silver  courses  from  his  breast 
As  he  divined  their  thought.     "  I  but  baptise, " 
He  said,  "  with  wate:r ;  but  there  cometh  One, 
The  latchet  of  whose  shoes  I  may  not  dare 
E'en  to  unloose.    He  will  baptize  with  fire 
And  with  the  Holy  Ghost."    And  lo !  while  yet 
The  words  were  on  his  lips,  he  raised  his  eyes, 
And  on  the  bank  stood  Jesus.    He  had  laid 
His  raiment  off,  and  with  his  loins  alone 
Girt  with  a  mantle,  and  his  perfect  limbs, 
In  their  angelic  slightness,  meek  and  bare, 
He  waited  to  go  in.     But  John  forbade, 
And  hurried  to  his  feet  and  stayed  him  there, 
And  said,  "  Nay,  Master  !  I  have  need  of  chine, 


Not  thou  of  mine  !  "  A  ad  Jesus  witn  a  smii* 

Of  heavenly  Badness  met  his  earnest  looks, 

And  answered,  "  Suffer  it  to  be  so  now  ; 

For  thus  it  doth  become  me  to  fulfil 

All  righteousness."     And,  leaning  to  the  stream, 

He  took  around  him  the  apostle's  arm, 

And  drew  him  gently  to  the  midst.     The  wood 

Was  thick  with  the  dim  twilight  as  they  came 

Dp  from  the  water.     With  his  clasped  hands 

Laid  on  his  breast  the  apostle  silently 

Followed  his  Master's  steps;  when  lo!  a  light, 

Bright  as  the  tenfold  glory  of  the  sun, 

Yet  lambent  as  the  softly  burning  stars, 

Enveloped  them,  a  id  from  the  heavens  away 

Parted  the  dim  ether  like  a  veil: 

And  as  a  voice,  fearful  exceedingly, 

Broke  from  the  midst,  "This  is  my  much-loved  Son, 

In  v  horn  I  am  well  pleased,"  a  snow-white  dove, 

Floav.ng  upon  its  wings,  descended  through  ; 

And,  shedding  a  swift  music  from  its  plumes, 

Circled,  and  fluttered  to  the  Saviour's  breast. 

— Nathaniel  Parker  t^iZZu. 


The  Story  of  His  Object. 

"  For  the  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  ths. 
jvhich  was  lost." — Luke  xix.  10. 

Salvation !  let  the  echo  fly 

The  spacious  earth  around ; 
While  all  the  armies  of  the  sky 

Conspire  to  raise  the  sound. 

Anthony  Hunt  was  a  drover.  He  and  his  wife  lived  on  q 
western  prairie  with  their  little  girl  named  Dolly.  One  day 
he  went  to  a  distant  town  to  sell  some  cattle.  It  was  near 
night  when  he  started  home,  and  when  within  a  few  miles 
of  home  a  storm  came  up  ;  the  rain  fell  in  torrents.  When 
about  five  miles  from  home  he  thought  he  heard  a  child  cry. 
He  stopped  and  listened,  then  called,  but  there  was  no 
answer.  He  got  off  his  horse  and  felt  around  in  the  grass,  and 


OL 


"  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  her,  Whosoever  drinketh  of  this  water 
5hall  thirst  again  ;  but  whosoever  drinketh  of  the  water  thnt  I  shall  give 
him  shall  never  thirst,  but  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him  shall  he  in  hinx 
a  well  of  water  springing  up  into  everlasting  life." — John  iv.  13,  14. 


called.  He  was  answered  by  a  faint  cry.  Then  he  thought 
some  one  might  be  planning  to  rob  him,  as  people  knew  he 
was  a  drover  and  carried  large  sums  of  money ;  but  it  was 
only  for  a  moment  he  allowed  such  a  thought  to  take  pos- 
session of  his  mind.  He  said  :  "  If  any  man's  child  is  here- 
abouts Anthony  Hunt  is  not  the  man  to  let  it  die."  He 
grouped  about  in  the  dark,  and  thinking  of  a  hollow  under 
a  hill,  he  made  his  way  towards  it,  and  there  found  a  little 
child  dripping  with  wet,  moaning  and  sobbing.  He  took  her 
up  in  his  arms  and  put  her  little  body  under  his  great  coat, 
and  started  for  home.  The  little  thing  soon  sobbed  herself 
to  sleep.  He  reached  home  in  about  an  hour,  and  as  he 
neared  the  house  saw  it  was  illuminated.  He  thought  his 
wife  had  prepared  the  extra  lights  for  his  coming;  but 
reaching  the  gate  he  found  the  house  filled  with  people,  and 
his  wife  was  weeping  bitterly,  and  exclaimed,  when  she  saw 
her  husband,  "  Oh,  don't  tell  him  :  it  will  kill  him."  A 
great  lump  seemed  to  rise  in  his  throat  as  he  asked  the 
cause  of  the  trouble.  One  of  the  neighbors  who  had  noticed 
the  bundle  said:  '''Nothing  now,  I  hope — what's  that  you 
have  in  your  arms?"  Looking  at  the  little  one  he  found 
he  saw  the  face  of  his  own  little  Dolly.  She  had  gone  out  to 
meet  her  papa,  who  had  promised  to  buy  her  a  new  doll, 
and  had  got  lost.  The  storm  came  up  and  she  was  given 
up  by  mother  and  friends  as  lost,  but  the  loving  heart  of  a 
father  found  her. 

Eden  was  man's  home,  but  inrough  sin  he  wandered 
away  and  was  lost, — to  purity,  happiness,  and  heaven ;  but 
the  dear  Lord  Jesus  came  to  seek  and  save  the  lost.  When 
the  Jews  found  fault  with  Christ  for  visiting  Zaccheus,  he 
replied :  "  For  the  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save 
the  lost,"  and  when  the  disciples  wanted  to  call  fire  dowm 
from  heaven  on  the  Samaritans  because  they  refused  to 
extend  their  hospitality  to  Christ,  he  said  :  "  Ye  know  not 

what  manner  of  spirit  ye  are  of;  for  the  Son  of  man  is  not 
3 


(34) 

Come  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save  them,"  again  he 
said  :  *  I  came  not  to  judge  but  to  save,"  and  the  angel  said 
to  Mary :  u  Thou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus,  for  he  shall  save 
his  people  from  their  sins." 

The  object  of  Christ  was  man's  physical  salvation  ;  when 
man  sinned  his  body  suffered ;  as  sin  spread  man's  years 
were  shortened.  In  the  first  ages  man  lived  a  thousand 
years;  when  Christ  came  the  average  was  but  little  over 
thirty  years.  Had  he  not  come  the  race  would  have  run 
out ;  his  coining  arrested  decay,  gave  a  fresh  lease  of  life,  and 
turned  man  toward  holiness. 

His  first  commission  was  physical:  ''And  as  ye  go. 
preach,  saying,  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand.  Heal  the 
sick,  cleanse  the  lepers,  raise  the  dead,  cast  out  devils: 
freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give." — Matt.  x.  7,  8.  Christ 
desires  man  to  have  a  good  body ;  a  sound  mind  in  a  sound 
body  makes  a  better  agent  for  active  work  than  a  sound 
mind  in  an  unsound  body. 

The  effects  of  sin  will  be  absolutely  removed  at  the  resur- 
rection; "Sown  in  corruption,  it  is  raised  in  incorrupt-ion; 
It  is  sown  in  dishonor,  it  is  raised  in  glory ;  It  is  sown  in 
weakness,  it  is  raised  in  power;  It  is  sown  a  natural  body, 
it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body.  And  so  it  is  written,  The  first 
man  Adam  was  made  a  living  soul;  the  last  Adam  wae 
made  a  quickening  spirit." — 1  Cor.  xv.  42-45. 

The  object  of  Christ  was  man's  intellectual  salvation. 
There  is  a  close  relation  between  mind  and  matter;  what 
hurts  one  affects  the  other.  Sin  hurt  the  body  and  impaired 
the  intellect;  hence  Paul  says:  "For  now  we  see  through  a 
glass,  darkly;  but  then  face  to  face:  now  1  know  in  part; 
but  then  shall  I  know  even  as  also  I  am  known." — 1  Cor. 
xiii.  12. 

The  mind,  though  warped  and  darkened  by  sin,  is  wel) 
nigh  omnipotent  in  its  possibilities.  Man's  physical  work 
ip  only  the  advertisement  of  his  mind.     Lock  at  the  great 


(85) 

bridge— the  marriage  bond  uniting  Brooklyn  and  New 
York — watch  the  crowd  of  human  beings  passing  to  and 
fro,  some  days  numbering  as  many  as  ninety  thousand; 
examine  the  building,  read  its  statistics,  and  you  are  amazed  j 
your  thoughts  are  naturally  focused  on  the  brain  that  con- 
ceived the  mighty  work,  but  this  is  only  a  ravelling  from 
man's  mind. 

If  the  intellect  is  such  a  power  in  its  fallen  condition,  how 
wonderful  are  its  possibilities  when  linked  with  God  through 
Christ!  The  telegraph,  steam-power,  printing-press,  and 
other  great  inventions  are  but  mind  developed  under  the 
influence  of  Christianity.  And  there  will  be  other  develop- 
ments :  when  "  casting  down  imaginations,  and  every  high 
thing  that  exalteth  itself  against  the  knowledge  of  God,  and 
bringing  into  captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedience  of 
Christ."— 2  Cor.  x.  5. 

The  object  of  Christ  was  man's  spiritual  salvation.  Not 
only  man's  body  and  mind  but  his  soul  was  corrupted  i 
u  The  soul  that  sinneth  it  shall  die."  Man  sinned  and  he 
was  separated  from  God  :  "  Behold,  the  Lord's  hand  is  not 
shortened,  that  it  cannot  save :  neither  his  ear  heavy,  that 
it  cannot  hear  :  but  your  iniquities  have  separated  between 
you  and  your  God,  and  your  sins  have  hid  his  face  from 
you,  that  he  will  not  hear." — Isa.  lix.  1,  2.  Christ  came  to 
drive  out  the  wedge  of  sin,  and  reconcile  man  to  God: 
"  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself." 
—2  Cor.  v.  19. 

The  salvation  of  Christ  is  full,  complete,  reaching  bodyi 
mind,  and  soul.  It  reaches  the  body  :  "  I  beseech  you  there- 
fore, brethren,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  that  ye  present  your 
bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  unto  God,  which 
is  your  reasonable  service." — Rom.  xii.  1.  It  reaches  the 
mind :  "  And  be  not  conformed  to  this  world :  but  be  ye 
transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your  mind,  that  ye  may 
prove  what  is  that  good,  and  acceptable,  and  perfect  will  of 


m 

God." — Rom.  xii.  2.  It  reaches  the  spirit :  "  There  is  there* 
fore  now  no  condemnation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ 
Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit"^ 
Rom  viii.  1.  Thank  God  for  a  full,  eternal  salvation.  "  The 
gift  of  God  is  eternal  life  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 


Object  of  the  Saviour's  Coming. 

He  came  not  like  the  conquerors  of  the  earth, 

Tc  seize  the  sword  and  drive  his  crimson  car 

O'er  kings,  and  crumbling  crowns,  and  empires  made 

The  wrecks  of  proud  ambition  ;  nor  to  rise 

Upon  the  ruins  of  a  thousand  thrones, 

Baptized  in  guiltless  blood,  and  bathed  in  tears 

By  mourning  mothers  shed.    He  came  not  like 

The  Macedonian  madman,  in  the  pomp 

Of  gorgeous  grandeur  and  the  pride  of  war, 

To  conquer  peaceful  cities,  and  survey, 

'Mid  slaughtered  thousands,  towers  and  temples  ftll, 

As  fell  the  towers  of  Troy— nor  yet  did  he 

Like  Caesar  cross  the  Rubicon,  to  be 

A  conqueror  or  a  corse. — Oh  !  no,  he  came 

In  meekness  and  in  mercy,  but  to  save 

Benighted  nations,  and  to  nobly  give 

The  promise  of  salvation  unto  all. 

He  came  to  conquer,  not  to  crush  ;  he  came, 

Without  a  sword,  to  triumph  over  death, 

And  revolutionize  a  dying  world. 

Possessed  of  all  the  glory  of  a  God, 

He  came  with  all  the  meekness  of  a  man, 

To  teach  humility,  and  point  the  way 

That  leads  the  wanderer  to  the  land  of  love. 

Above  all  human  learning  and  all  law, 

The  sages  of  old  Greece  and  Rome  were  mute; 

And  fanes  of  false  philosophy  to  earth 

Before  him  fell  ;  the  proud  Pantheon's  gods 

Crumbled  upon  their  pedestals  of  gold, 

And  from  the  Thunderer's  hand  the  sceptre  passed, 

His  mighty  power  and  meekness  were  the  same, 

To  humble  haughty  grandeur,  or  to  bind 

The  broken  spirit,  for  he  was  the  Prince 

Of  power  as  well  as  peace.    He  came  to  die 


(87) 

That  man  might  live  forever.— Oh  !  what  lov^f 

How  deep  and  how  unbounded  !  How  sublime 

The  story  of  his  suffering,  and  the  scene 

Of  his  hist  dying  agonies  for  man  ! 

Methinks  I  see  the  star  of  Bethlehem  rise 

Upon  the  shouting  shepherds,  and  methinks 

I  see  it  sinking,  in  a  sea  of  blood, 

On  sacred  Calvary.     The  hour  is  past, 

The  mighty  deed  is  done — a  world  redeemed, 

And  man  no  longer  the  polluted  slave 

Of  sin  and  sorrow,  but  the  child  of  grace. 

The  harps  of  heaven  have  hymned  the  Saviour's  praisg 

And  angels  swelled  the  anthem  ;  should  not  man, 

Upon  this  glorious  morn,*  bow  down  his  knee? 

The  hour  is  coming  when  the  nations  far, 

That  know  not  God,  shall  kneel  before  his  throne, 

And  claim  the  promise  of  redemption  given. 

The  empire  of  religion  then  shall  be 

The  empire  of  the  world,  and  human  hopes 

And  human  hearts  be  mingled,  or  shall  make 

One  common  faith,  the  beacon-light  to  heaven. 

Milfor^L  Bard, 


The  Story  of  His  Work. 

"This  is  the  work  of  God,  that  ye  believe  on  him  whom 
be  hath  sent."— John  vi.  29. 

To  the  work  !  to  the  work  !  we  are  servants  of  God : 
Let  us  follow  the  path  that  our  Master  has  trod ; 
In  the  balm  of  his  counsel  our  strength  to  renew, 
Let  us  do  with  our  might  what  our  hands  find  to  do. 

3hrist  not  only  planned  his  work,  but  he  worked  hia 
plan.  1st.  Among  the  Jews.  2d.  Among  the  GentileSc 
He  worked  among  h^  disciples  in  the  same  order.  1st. 
Among  the  Jews.  2d.  Among  the  Gentiles.  The  first  com- 
mission was  limited :  "  Go  not  into  the  way  of  the  Gentiles, 
and  into  any  city  of  the  Samaritans  enter  ye  not,  but  go 
rather  to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel." — Matt.  y.  5, 


*  These  thoughts  came  into  my  mind  on  a  Christmas  morning. 


m) 


THE  UNCONSCIOUS   WATKB  SAW   ITS  GOD  AND  BLUSHED."—- ift/ton. 


(39) 

6.  The  second  commission  was  unlimited;  "Go  ye  into 
all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature." — 
Mark  xvi.  15.  The  heart  of  Christ  is  as  large  as  the  world. 
His  invitations  have  no  proper  names  in  them:  "Come 
unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I 
will  give  you  rest." — Matt.  xi.  28. 

Christ  worked  through  preaching:  "From  that  time 
Jesus  began  to  preach,  and  to  say,  Repent,  for  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  is  at  hand." — Matt.  iv.  17.  What  a  wonderful 
preacher!  "He  preached  the  word  unto  them." — Mark  ii. 
2.  Unto  the  traders  in  the  temple:  "My  house  shall  be 
called  the  house  of  prayer;  but  ye  have  made  it  a  den  of 
thieves." — Matt.  xxi.  12.  Unto  Nicodemus,  the  prominent 
teacher :  "  Except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of  spirit,  he 
cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God." — John  iii.  5.  Unto 
the  rich  young  man:  "If  thou  wilt  be  perfect,  go  and  sell 
that  thou  hast,  and  give  to  the  poor,  and  thou  shalt  have 
treasure  in  heaven,  and  come,  follow  me." — Matt.  xix.  21. 
Unto  the  mountain  congregation :  "  Wherefore,  if  God  so 
clothe  the  grass  of  the  field,  which  to-day  is,  and  to-morrow 
is  cast  into  the  oven,  shall  he  not  much  more  clothe  you, 
O  ye  of  little  faith?"— Matt  vi.  30;  and  through  these  and 
other  agents  he  preaches  unto  us. 

And  oh!  what  preaching,  unfolded  in  parables!  The 
spiritual  minded  understood,  while  the  sin  blinded  were 
confused  :  "  Because  it  is  given  unto  you  to  know  the  mys- 
teries of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  but  to  them  it  is  not  given 
Therefore  speak  I  to  them  in  parables."     Farrar  says*  ■ 

"A  method  so  instructive,  so  rare,  so  stimulating,  so  full 
of  interest — a  method  which,  in  its  unapproachable  beauty, 
stands  unrivalled  in  the  annals  of  human  speech — would 
doubtless  tend  to  increase  beyond  measure  the  crowds  that 
thronged  to  listen." 

Read  the  sower,  or  scattering  good  seed. — Matt.  xiii.  1-23. 
The  grain  of  mustard-seed,  or  the  increase   of  a   mighty 


(40) 

principle. — Matt.  xiii.  31,  32.  Dives  and  Lazarus, or  a  look 
beyond  the  grave. — Luke  xvi.  19-31.  The  good  Samaritan, 
or  who  is  our  neighbor. — Luke  x.  25-37.  The  Pharisee  and 
Publican,  or  self-righteousness  and  humility. — Luke  xviii. 
c)-14.  The  Prodigal  Son,  or  the  folly  of  backsliding. — Luke 
xv.  11-32.  The  marriage  of  the  king's  son,  or  conditional 
salvation. — Matt.  xxii.  11-13.  But  why  specify?  As  John 
says:  "If  they  should  be  written  every  one,  I  suppose  that 
even  the  world  itself  could  not  contain  the  books  that 
should  be  written." — John  xxi.  25. 

Paul  may  have  been  the  Prince,  but  Jesus  was  the  King 
of  Preachers.  No  voice  ever  fell  on  human  ear  like  his. 
Henry  Clay's  voice  was  called  a  band  of  music,  Daniel 
Webster's  voice  was  called  a  trumpet,  Dr.  Ch mining's  voice 
was  called  a  harp,  but  "  never  man  spake  like  this  man." 
His  theme  was  salvation. 

Christ  prayed  as  well  as  preached ;  he  talked  to  God  as 
well  as  man  ;  one  supported  the  other.  Father  Taylor  said 
Christ  spent  his  youth  in  communication  with  his  Father. 
We  do  know  that  from  his  baptism  to  his  crucifixion  he 
held  communication  with  his  Father  through  prayer:  "And 
in  the  morning,  rising  up  a  great  while  before  day,  he  went 
out,  and  departed  into  a  solitary  place,  and  there  prayed." 
— Mark  i.  35.  His  prayers  were  for  others.  "Simon, 
behold,  Satan  hath  desired  to  have  you,  that  he  may  sift 
you  as  wheat ;  but  I  have  prayed  for  thee,  that  thy  faith  fail 
not :  and  when  thou  art  converted,  strengthen  thy  brethren." 
— Luke  xxii.  31,  32.  It  is  a  comforting  thought  that  every 
follower  of  Christ  is  held  up  by  the  prayers  of  Christ : 
"  Neither  pray  I  for  these  alone,  but  for  them  also  which 
shall  believe  on  me  through  their  word." — John  xvii.  20. 

Christ  welded  his  preaching  and  praying  into  practising; 
his  whole  life  was  a  sermon  read  by  the  world;  he  weni 
about  doing  good.  The  world  needs  to-day  just  what  it 
needed  in  that  day :  plain  preaching,  praying,  and  practis- 


(4U 

ing.  Reader,  if  you  are  interested  in  the  world's  salvation, 
engage  in  this  triune  work,  preach,  pray,  and  practice,  do 
something  for  Jesus,  and  help  accomplish  the  object  for 
which  he  died. 

Oh  that  each  in  the  day  of  his  coming  may  say 

I  have  fought  my  way  through, 

I  have  finished  the  work  thou  didst  give  me  to  do. 

Oh  that  each  from  his  Lord  may  receive  the  glad  w*r£» 

Well  and  faithfully  done: 

Enter  into  my  joy,  and  sit  down  on  my  throne. 


Sir  Brasil  and  his  Falcon. 

The  work  of  Christ  was  not  appreciated  by  those  who 
sought  to  gratify  the  flesh,  and  they  rejected  him  unto 
death.  The  following  story  contains  a  point  it  would  be 
well  to  heed. 

Sir  Brasil,  wearied  from  toiling  in  the  chase,  "  leashed  his 
favorite  falcon  to  his  wrist,  and  girding  on  his  sword, 
straight  took  his  way  along  the  silent  groves, "  in  search  of 
some  refreshing  spring.  His  brow  was  hot,  his  tongue 
was  dry  against  his  teeth,  and  he  was  ready  to  die  of 
thirst. 

At  length  he  reached  the  bed  of  a  stream,  but  it  was  dry, 
and  he  was  ready  to  resign  himself  to  despair,  when  he  saw, 
trickling  from  out  the  crevice  of  a  rock,  a  few  "  sluggish 
drops  of  dark  green  water."  Hope  revived,  and  releasing 
the  falcon  from  his  wrist,  and  "stopping  the  jewelled 
mouthpiece  of  his  golden  bugle  with  a  plug  of  moss,"  he 
turned  it  into  a  cup  to  catch  the  water  as  it  fell  drop  by 
drop.  "With  toil  and  pain  he  gathers  each  slow  drop, * 
until  "the  dear  draught  is  level  with  the  golden  rim  ;* 
then  he  raised  it  to  his  lips. 


(42) 

But,  just  as  he  is  about  to  satisfy  his  thirst,  the  falcon 
dashes,  "  with  swift  stroke  of  his  long  pinion, "  the  cup  to 
the  ground.  The  knight  frowned  and  looked  upon  the  bird 
with  astonished  anger.  "  Once  again  Sir  Brasil,  with 
weary  hand  and  long  delay,  filled  up  the  golden  measure.'' 
Again  he  raised  the  cup  to  his  lips,  and  again  the  falcon 
dashed  it  from  his  hand. 

"  Now,  by  the  sacred  cup  which  Christ  did  drink  of,  "  said 
the  angry  knight,  "  I  will  wring  thy  neck,  thou  foolish  bird, 
an'  thou  do  that  again." 

"  A  third  time  did  he  stoop,  and,  horn  in  hand,  bend  his 
broad  back  to  catch  the  sluggish  stream  ;  a  third  time  did 
he  raise  the  bugle  towards  his  lips  :  a  third  time,  with  swift 
wing,  the  falcon  dashed  the  measure  from  his  hand." 

The  eyes  of  the  knight  flashed  with  angry  fire  ;  his  thin 
lips  quivered,  his  cheeks  grew  pale,  and,  with  ungloved 
hand,  he  struck  the  bird  across  the  throat.  It  fluttered  on 
his  wrist,  spread  out  its  wings  convulsively,  its  curved  beak 
opened  wide,  gasping  for  air.  Its  round  eye  turned  to  its 
master  with  a  reproachful  look  of  love ;  then  with  a  faint 
gasp  it  fluttered — fell — and  died. 

"  Well-a-day !"  said  the  knight,  "  the  bird  was  mulish 
and  deserved  its  fate ;  yet  would  I  had  not  killed  it." 

But  the  bird  was  dead,  and  most  people  would  say  it  de- 
served its  fate.  It  interfered  with  the  man's  pleasure  ;  and 
repeatedly  dashed  from  his  hand  what  he  considered  essen- 
tial to  existence:  hence  it  was  justly  rewarded  for  "its  in- 
explicable behavior." 

But  look  at  the  sequel  of  this  curious  story.  Sir  Brasil 
resolved  to  seek  "  the  source  of  the  thin  stream.  Through 
the  forsaken  beds  of  ancient  streams,  over  massive  boulder 
stones,  humped  with  old  age,  and  coated  with  gray  moss — 
over  trunks  of  rotting  trees,  that  in  the  night  lit  with  pale 
splendor  the  dark  path  around,  and  slept  in  the  light — over 
sharp  volcanic  soil,  that  crackled  beneath  his  tread — Sir 


(43) 

Brasil  took  his  way,  with  weary  feet,  and  tongue  that  often 
wagged  in  sanctimonious  oath." 

The  knight  fainting  with  thirst  saw  something  gleaming 
in  the  distance,  "  like  an  azure  spray  "  twisting  as  it  shone. 
"As  speeds  the  Arab  to  the  green  oasis,  after  days  of  thirst,  " 
so  he  pressed  "toward  the  spot  so  distant  and  so  dear." 
n  But  as  he  came  nearer  foul  clouds  hovered  oppressively 
about  him  ;  a  poisonous  vapor  seemed  to  load  the  air.  "  He 
raved  and  reeled,  and  threw  his  arms  aloft,  and  tried  to 
pray  ;  and  spoke  pet  words  to  his  dead  falcon,  as  if  it  were 
alive."  Then  with  a  great  effort  he  recovered  himself  and 
strode  onward. 

"As  he  approached  the  place  whence  shot  the  sapphire 
gleam  a  horrid  sight  burst  on  his  view.  Lo  !  coiling  on  a 
mound,  lay  a  huge  green  serpent.  Tier  upon  tier  of 
emerald  scales,  that  glistened  into  blue,  swept  upwards  in 
grand  spirals.  His  great  head  lay  open-jawed,  and  hanging 
over  the  brink  of  a  steep  rock ;  while,  slavering  from  his 
mouth,  trickled,  in  sluggish  drops,  a  stream  of  distilled 
poison,  green  and  rank. 

"  Sir  Brasil's  heart  grew  sick,  for  noio  he  saw  what  he  had 
wished  to  drink,  and  what  the  falcon  had  wasted,  was  the 
venom  that  slavered  from  the  serpent  on  the  rock,  and 
filtering  through  some  secret  stony  way  welled  out  below, 
in  green  and  sluggish  drops  of  withering  poison. 3 


The  Story  of  His  Power. 
"  The  Son  of  God,  with  power,  according  to  tne  spirit  of 
holiness." — Rom.  i.  4. 

Though  eighteen  hundred  years  have  passed 

Since  Christ  did  in  the  flesh  appear, 
Yet  his  tender  mercies  ever  last 

And  still  his  healing  power  is  here. 

Christ   manifested    power  over   his  own   human  natura 


(44) 

After  being  baptized  :  "  Then  was  Jesus  led  np  of  the  Spirit 
into  the  wilderness  to  be  tempted  of  the  devil.  And  when 
he  had  fasted  forty  days  and  forty  nights,  he  was  afterward 
an  hungered." — Matt.  iv.  1,  2.  Christ  fasted  alone  in  the 
desert,  subdued  the  flesh,  drank  in  the  spirit  of  his  great 
mission  and  prepared  for  his  work.  He  conquered  himself, 
and  hence  gained  every  battle  he  fought. 

Christ  manifested  power  over  Satan.  As  he  came  up 
from  the  wilderness,  Satan  met  him  in  three  temptations: 
1st.  "  If  thou  be  the  Son  of  God,  command  that  these  stones 
be  made  bread."  2d.  "  If  thou  be  the  Son  of  God,  cast  thy- 
self down :  for  it  is  written."  3d.  "All  these  things  will  I 
give  thee,  if  thou  wilt  fall  down  and  worship  me."  Christ 
met  each  temptation  with  scripture.  Satan  left  him,  and 
angels  came  and  ministered  unto  him. — Matt.  iv.  1-11. 
Remember,  that  when  tempted  you  also  can  conquer. 

Christ  manifested  power  over  nature,  he  created  and  he 
controlled.  An  exhibition  of  this  power  is  seen  on  Galilee. 
While  sleeping  in  the  boat  a  great  storm  came  down  from 
between  the  hills.  His  disciples,  fearful  of  the  consequences, 
awoke  him  ;  he  arose,  spoke  to  the  elements,  the  wind  fled 
from  his  presence,  and  the  waves  were  cowed  like  a  whipped 
<iog  at  his  feet :  "  Then  he  arose,  and  rebuked  the  winds  and 
the  sea;  and  there  was  a  great  calm.  But  the  men 
marvelled,  saying,  What  manner  of  man  is  this,  that  even 
the  winds  and  the  sea  obey  him  !  "—Matt.  viii.  23-27.  His 
power  over  nature  is  also  seen  in  his  first  miracle,  when  he 
turned  water  into  wine:  "The  unconscious  water  saw  its 
God  and  blushed."— See  John  ii.  10. 

Christ  manifested  power  over  sin.  It  was  a  great  thing 
to  control  nature,  but  a  greater  thing  to  forgive  sin.  Christ 
said  to  the  scribes :  "  But  that  ye  may  know  that  the  Son 
of  man  hath  power  on  earth  to  forgive  sins  (he  sayeth  to 
the  sick  of  the  palsy)  I  say  unto  thee,  Arise,  take  up  thy 
bed,  and   go   thy   way  unto  thine  house." — Mark  ii.  1-12, 


(45) 


H 
i 

I 

\ 

m          ' 

:^:,,,,..,          ^             ./;":-      ! 

i>-       jaE 

. 

V'XJh 

HI :  -fit  //      ,«awBBS 

Ifcl 

IIP 

!;."■ 

(46) 

No  sin  is  too  great  for  Jesus  to  forgive :  "  Though  your  sin' 
be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow ;  though  they 
be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool." — Isa.  i.  18. 
The  power  of  Jesus  was  the  power  of  love,  and  not  of  hate; 
hence  it  was  manifested  in  seeking  and  saving  the  lost. 

Christ  manifested  power  in  removing  disease.  In  forgiv- 
ing sin,  he  cut  the  root  from  which  disease  sprung.  This 
is  illustrated  in  the  man  sick  with  the  palsy.  He  was 
taken  by  friends  to  Jesus,  to  have  his  disease  removed. 
Jesus  struck  at  the  root :  "  Son,  thy  sins  be  forgiven."  The 
root  cut,  the  branch  died  ;  the  world  was  blessed  with  such 
a  man:  "Jesus  went  about  all  Galilee,  teaching  in  the 
synagogues,  preaching  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom,  and  heal- 
ing all  manner  of  sickness  and  all  manner  of  disease  among 
the  people."  They  only  had  to  exercise  the  faith  of  the 
leper:  "  Lord,  if  thou  wilt,  thou  canst  make  me  clean,"  and 
immediately  he  responded:  "I  will:  be  thou  clean." 

Christ  manifested  power  in  raising  the  dead.  He  never 
preached  any  funeral  sermons;  disease  fled  at  his  touch. 
and  death  at  his  prayer.  In  the  home  of  Jairus  thtre  was 
a  beautiful  exhibition  of  his  power.  A  young  daughter 
had  just  died.  Jesus  "  took  her  by  the  band  and  called. 
saying,  Maid,  arise !  " — Matt.  ix.  18-26. 

The  Saviour  raised 
Her  hand  from  off  her  bosom  and  spread  out 
The  snowy  fingers  in  his  palm,  and  said, 
Maiden  !  arise  !     And  suddenly  a  flush 
Shot  o'er  her  forehead,  and  along  her  lips, 
And  through  her  cheeks  the  rallied  color  ran; 
And  the  still  outline  of  her  graceful  form 
Stirred  in  the  linen  vesture  ;  and  she  clasped 
The  Saviour's  hand  and,  fixing  her  dark  eyes 
Full  on  his  beaming  countenance,  arose. 

Twenty-five  miles  from  Capernaum  was  the  little  town 
of  Nain,  the  home  of  a  widow,  whose  only  child,  a  Hon,  had 


(47) 

died  The  funeral  procession  had  been  formed,  and  "  the 
only  son  of  his  mother  "  was  being  carried  to  his  grave. 
Jesus  met  them  :  "And  he  came  and  touched  the  bier,  and 
they  that  bare  him  stood  still.  And  he  said,  Young  man, 
I  say  unto  thee  Arise.  And  he  that  was  dead  sat  up  and 
began  to  speak.  And  he  delivered  him  to  his  mothei." 
What  a  meeting  that  must  have  been!  How  I  sometimes 
wish  the  Master  would  come  this  way  !  No  wonder  "  there 
came  a  fear  on  all :  and  they  glorified  God,  saying,  That  a 
great  prophet  is  risen  up  among  us ;  and,  that  God  hath 
visited  his  people." — Luke  vii.  11-16. 

But  a  greater  manifestation  of  power  was  in  the  case  of 
Lazarus  if  Bethany,  the  brother  of  Mary  and  Martha.  He 
died  and  was  buried.  Jesus  visited  the  sisters,  and  "  found 
that  he  had  lain  in  the  grave  four  days  already."  The 
sisters  met  Jesus  and  together  they  went  to  the  grave, 
where  "Jesus  wept."  At  his  command  the  stone  was  taken 
away,  "  and  Jesus  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  said :  Father,  I 
thank  thee  that  thou  hast  heard  me.  And  I  know  that 
thou  hearest  me  always:  but  because  of  the  people  which 
stand  by  I  said  it,  that  they  may  believe  that  thou  hast 
sent  me.  And  when  he  had  thus  spoken,  he  cried  with  a 
loud  voice,  Lazarus,  come  forth.  And  he  that  was  dead 
came  forth,  bound  hand  and  foot  with  grave  clothes;  and 
his  face  was  bound  about  with  a  napkin.  Jesus  saith  untc 
them,  Loose  him,  and  let  him  go." — John  xi.  1-14. 

Glad  is  the  song  consenting  tongues  record. 
Messiah  reigns  ;  high  deeds  proclaim  him  Lord. 
The  deaf  can  hear,  the  blind  receive  their  sight, 
And  withered  palsy  springs  with  new  delight; 
On  pain's  pale  cheek  reviving  roses  bloom, 
And  shrouded  death  starts  wondering  from  the  tomb. 


The  Story  of  His  Acceptance. 
"  Behold,  the  world  is  gone  after  him." — John  xii.  19L 


(48) 


.«a«e 


(49) 

Ashamed  of  Jesus !  that  dear  Friend 
On  whom  my  hopes  of  heaven  depend  t 
Kof  when  I  blush  be  this  my  shame. 
That  I  no  more  revere  his  name. 

Akero'os  was  the  name  of  a  soldier,  "  battle-scarred  and 
old  and  <yray."  He  was  needy,  and  not  wanting  to  beg, 
took  his  lyre,  and  with  music  sought  to  draw  silver  from 
those  who  passed  that  way.  In  early  days  he  had  somt 
jkill,  but  his  fingers  had  lost  their  cunning.  "And  so  he 
stood  there  twanging,  hour  after  hour,  without  one  lepton 
gained."  Tired,  hungry  and  athirst,  he  became  discouraged, 
leaned  against  a  pillar,  and  thought  himself  u  forsaken  and 
^rurst." 

Then  came  a  stranger  where  he  leaned  and  said, 
Why  not  play  on,  old  man,  and  strive  to  please 
The  passing  crowd  ?  Yon,  who  won  victories, 
Might  now  perchance  win  bread. 

Akerotos  looked  up  ;  his  eyes  filled  with  tears,  as  he 
replied :  "  I  am  no  longer  skilled."  The  stranger,  with  a 
yleagant  smile,  offered  to  hire  the  lyre  for  an  hour,  and 
passed  the  owner  a  piece  of  money.  Akerotos  took  the 
money  and  passed  the  lyre  to  the  stranger,  who  said:  "It 
is  a  bargain.  Then,  hold  out  your  cap;  be  motionless  and 
dumb."  The  cords  were  swept  by  skilful  fingers,  and  a 
startling  prelude  rAng  through  the  air.  Then  in  a  clear  and 
stirring  voice  he  sang  of  war,  how  the  "  Sire-dethroning 
Zeus  "  overthrew  the  mighty  Titans.  The  people  gathered 
round  breathless  and  eager,  swallowing  every  sound.  So 
vivid  was  the  picture,  and  sweet  the  melody,  that  the 
eopie  heard : 

The  rush  of  chariots  and  the  clash  of  blades ; 
O'er  beaten  earth  the  ring  of  iron  hoofs ; 
The  crackling  roar  of  flames  from  burning  rooft; 
The  screams  of  frightened  maids. 


(50) 

When  the  song  was  ended,  the  people  filled  the  soldier*? 
cap  with  gold,  and  called  on  the  "  silver-tongued  and  fiery- 
eyed  "  singer  for  more  of  the  soul-thrilling  music: 

Singer,  whose  voice  from  sirens  on  the  shore 
Has  sure  been  borrowed,  and  whose  fingers  rain 
Such  music  on  the  strings,  O  sing  again — 
Sing  us  a  song  once  more  ! 

,  And  again  the  singer  sang,  this  time  not  of  war  but  of 
love,  and  the  hearts  of  all  were  stirred.  The  air  was  filled 
with  fragrance,  and  light,  and  music;  and  the  people  took 
off  their  rings  and  bracelets  and  ornaments  of  gold,  and 
the  old  soldier  was  made  rich.  Then  a  purple  vapor 
filled  the  place,  and  around  the  singer  shone  a  blaze  of 
light. 

The  men  of  Argos  stood  in  hushed  surprise, 
As  there  the  God  of  poetry  and  song, 
Phoibos  Apollon,  from  the  awestruck  throng 

Ascended  to  the  skies. 

This  is  a  Grecian  fable,  beautifully  clothed  in  verse, 
showing  that  Apollo,  accepted  by  man,  was  a  bless- 
ing, but  it  is  a  truth  that  Christ  Jesus,  interested  in  man, 
came  to  earth,  and  all  who  accept  him  obtain  a  blessing. 

Jesus  was  accepted  by  the  pure  of  heaven  and  the  best 
of  earth.  A  glance  at  a  few  of  his  many  followers  will 
prove  this. 

He  was  accepted  by  Mary  and  Joseph :  "  Behold  the 
handmaid  of  the  Lord  ;  be  it  unto  me  according  to  thy 
word." — Luke  i.  38  ;  and  "  Then  Joseph,  being  raised  from 
sleep,  did  as  the  angel  of  the  Lord  had  bidden  him,  and 
took  unto  him  his  wife.*' — Matt.  i.  24. 

He  was  accepted  by  angels :  "And  suddenly  there  was 
with  the  ange1  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host  praising 
God,  and  saying,  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth 
peace,  good  will  toward  men." — Luke  ii.  13,  14. 


(51) 

He  was  accepted  by  the  shepherds .  "And  the  shepherds 
returned,  glorifying  and  praising  God  for  all  the  things  that 
they  had  heard  and  seen,  as  it  was  told  unto  them/5 — Luke 
ii.  20. 

He  was  accepted  by  the  wise  men :  "And  when  they  were 
come  into  the  house,  they  saw  the  young  child  with  Mary 
his  mother,  and  fell  down,  and  worshipped  him :  and  when 
they  had  opened  their  treasures,  they  presented  unto  him 
gifts :  gold,  and  frankincense,  and  myrrh." — Matt.  ii.  11. 

He  was  accepted  by  Simeon,  the  friend  of  God  :  "And 
Simeon  blessed  them,  and  said  unto  Mary  his  mother,  Be- 
hold, this  child  is  set  for  the  fall  and  rising  again  of  many 
in  Israel ;  and  for  a  sign  which  shall  be  spoken  against." — ■ 
Luke  ii.  34. 

He  was  accepted  by  Anna,  the  prophetess:  "And  she 
coming  in  at  that  instant  gave  thanks  likewise  unto  the 
Lord,  and  spake  of  him  to  all  them  that  looked  for  redemp- 
tion in  Jerusalem." — Luke  ii.  38. 

He  was  accepted  by  Elizabeth,  and  her  husband,  the 
priest  of  God :  "  And  Elizabeth  was  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost :  and  she  spake  out  with  a  loud  voice,  and  said, 
Blessed  art  thou  among  women,  and  blessed  is  the  fruit  of 
thy  womb." — Luke  i.  42. 

He  was  accepted  by  godly  women,  interested  in  the 
world's  salvation  :  "And  certain  women,  which  had  been 
healed  of  evil  spirits  and  infirmities,  Mary  called  Magdalene, 
out  of  whom  went  seven  devils,  and  Joanna  the  wife  of 
Chuza,  Herod's  steward,  and  Susanna,  and  many  others, 
which  ministered  unto  him  of  their  substance." — Luke  viii. 
2,3. 

He  was  accepted  by  Nicodemus,  the  great  teacher; 
"  Rabbi,  we  know  that  thou  art  a  teacher  come  from  God  . 
for  no  man  can  do  these  miracles,  that  thou  doest,  except 
God  be  with  him." — John  iii.  2. 

He  was  accepted  by  John,  sent  from  God :  "  John  seeth 


(52; 

Jesus  coming  unto  him,  and  saith,  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God, 
which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world." — John  i.  29. 

He  was  accepted  by  a  great  multitude  of  people :  "And 
the  multitudes  that  went  before,  and  that  followed,  cried, 
saying,  Hosanna  to  the  son  of  David :  Blessed  is  he  that 
cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  ;  Hosanna  in  the  highest." 
—Matt.  xxi.  1-11. 

He  was  accepted  by  God  the  Father:  "This  is  my  well- 
beloved  Son  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased,  hear  ye  him.1, 
Christ  was  and  is  the  most  popular  man  that  ever  lived 
Well  does  Holloway  say  :  "  At  this  moment  Jesus  influences 
more  minds  and  hearts  than  any  other  thinker  or  worker." 


The  Story  of  His  Rejection. 
"  He  is  despised  and  rejected  of  men." — Isa.  liii.  3. 

Let  the  world  despise  and  leave  me, 

They  have  left  my  Saviour  too; 
Human  hearts  and  looks  deceive  me— 

Thou  art  not,  like  them,  untrue. 

"  Christ  Rejected ! "  how  sad  the  words !  While  accepted 
by  the  pure  of  heaven  and  the  best  of  earth,  he  was  rejected 
by  those  controlled  by  Satan  :  "  Then  assembled  together 
the  chief  priests,  and  the  scribes,  and  the  elders  of  the 
people,  unto  the  palace  of  the  high  priest,  who  was  called 
Caiaphas,  and  consulted  that  they  might  take  Jesus,  by 
Bubtilty,  and  kill  him." — Matt.  xxvi.  3,  4.  They  found  an 
agent :  "  Then  one  of  the  twelve,  called  Judas  Iscariot,  went 
unto  the  chief  priests,  and  said  unto  them,  What  will  ye 
give  me,  and  I  will  deliver  him  unto  you?  And  they 
covenanted  with  him  for  thirty  pieces  of  silver.  And 
from  that  time  he  sought  opportunity  to  betray  him."  The 
opportunity  came.  Jesus  was  betrayed,  and  the  Jews,  in- 
fluenced by  the  chief  priests  and  elders,  rejected  the  man 


(53) 


GROUP  FROM  "CHRIST  REJECTED.' 


(54) 

of  sorrows :  "  But  the  chief  priests  and  elders  persuaded 
the  multitude  that  they  should  ask  Barabbas,  and  destroy 
Jesus."— Matt,  xxvii.  20. 

The  "  Group "  on  page  53  is  from  "  Christ  Rejected," 
painted  by  Benjamin  West.  The  original  now  hangs  in 
the  Academy  of  Fine  Arts,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  It  speaks 
for  itself:  "  The  swaggering  triumph  of  the  vehement  priest 
who  accuses  and  denies  the  very  '  Hope  of  Israel '  is  in 
awful  contrast  with  the  gentle  submission  of  the  Mighty 
One  who  yields  himself  to  save  by  the  cross  rather  than 
rule  upon  the  throne." 

The  Story  of  His  Agony. 
"A  man  of  sorrow  and  acquainted  with  grief." — Isa.  liii. 

That  garden,  where  of  old  our  guilt  began, 

Wrought  death  and  pain  ; 
But  this,  where  Jesus  prays  by  night  for  man. 

Brings  life  and  joy  again. 
Hither,  of  his  own  will,  the  Lord  for  all 

Conies  to  atone; 
And  stays  the  thunder  bolts  about  to  fall 

From  the  dread  Father's  throne. 

Gethsemane  is  synonymous  with  the  suffering  of  Christ. 
Mention  one  and  you  think  of  the  other.  Christ  suffered 
that  you  might  be  free. 

In  New  York  city  a  teacher  had  occasion  to  punish  a 
scholar.  He  ordered  the  boy  to  take  off  his  jacket,  but  the 
boy  refused.  Again  he  was  ordered  and  again  he  refused. 
The  teacher  told  him  if  he  did  not  take  off  his  jacket  he 
would  have  some  of  the  older  boys  to  take  it  off  for  him. 
The  boy  commenced  to  take  his  garment  off;  the  tears 
rolled  down  his  cheeks,  as  he  slowly  turned  it  from  hits 
shoulder,  not  from  fear,  but  from  shame.  His  jacket  was 
the  only  garment  that  covered  his  body.  The  poor  waif 
from  the  slums  was  seeking  knowledge,  without  sufficient 


(55) 

clothing  to  cover  him.  The  scholars  took  in  the  situation, 
and  tears  flowed  from  sympathy.  One  of  the  older  boys 
stepped  up,  and  said :  "  Master,  I  will  take  his  place ;  whip 
me." 

This  is  but  a  faint  type  of  humanity  and  Christ.  Hu-  _ 
manity  had  broken  the  law,  and  was  exposed  to  punish- 
ment. Justice  demanded  satisfaction.  Christ  came,  took  , 
man's  place,  obeyed  the  law,  bore  the  burden,  and  won  the 
victory  for  you  and  me :  "  Surely  he  hath  borne  our  griefs, 
and  carried  our  sorrows  ;  yet  we  did  esteem  him  stricken, 
smitten  of  God,  and  afflicted.  But  lie  was  wounded  for  our 
transgressions,  he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities ;  the  chastise- 
ment of  our  peace  was  upon  him ;  and  with  his  stripes  we 
are  healed.  All  we  like  sheep  have  gone  astray,  we  have 
turned  every  one  to  his  own  way;  and  the  Lord  hath  laid 
on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all." — Isa.  liii.  4,  5,  6. 

Jesus  was  alone  in  his  baptism  of  suffering.  He  took  his 
disciples  with  him  into  the  garden,  and  said :  "  Sit  ye  here, 
while  I  go  and  pray  yonder." — Matt.  xxvi.  36.  Then  with 
his  three  favorites,  Peter,  James,  and  John,  he  went  and 
prayed,  "  and  began  to  be  sorrowful  and  very  heavy."  And 
he  said  to  them :  "  My  soul  is  exceeding  sorrowful,  even 
unto  death :  tarry  ye  here,  and  watch  with  me."  Then  he 
went  alone  further  into  the  garden,  "  and  fell  on  his  face,  and 
prayed,  saying,  O  my  Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this  cup 
pass  from  me :  nevertheless,  not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt." 
This  suffering  was  the  baptism  he  had  reference  to  when  he,' 
said  :  "  I  have  a  baptism  to  be  baptized  with." — Luke  xi! . 
50.  In  David,  his  type,  he  exclaims :  "  I  am  come  into 
deep  waters,  where  the  floods  overflow  me." — Psa,  xcii.  2. 

Christ  was  alone  in  the  conflict.  He  could  say  :  "  I  have 
trodden  the  wine-press  alone ;  and  of  the  people  there  was 
none  with  me."  His  disciples  slept;  not  from  indifference, 
but  from  heavy  sorrow  which  clouded  the  mental  and  over- 
came the  physical.     Luke  says  "  they  slept  from  sorrow," 


(56) 


(W) 

and  Christ  said:  "The  spirit  is  willing,  but  the  flesh  is 
weak."  While  the  human  failed  him,  the  divine  did  not. 
"There  appeared  an  angel  unto  him  from  heaven  strength- 
ening him." 

You  may  be  alone  in  your  Gethsemane  of  sorrow,  all  the 
world  having  forsaken  you  and  fled,  but  he  whose  "sweat 
was  as  it  were  great  drops  of  blood  falling  down  to  the 
ground  "  will  stand  by  and  deliver  you  out  of  the  mouth 
of  the  lion.     Well  does  Mrs.  Sigourney  say  : 

Count  thy  brief  pains 

As  the  dust  atom  on  life's  chariot  wheels, 

And  in  a  Saviour's  grief  forget  them  all. 

The  exact  spot  where  Christ  knelt  is  not  known,  but  the 
garden  made  sacred  by  his  prayers  can  be  located.  Canon 
Farrar,  in  his  "Life  of  Christ,"  says:  "Although  the  exact 
spot  of  this  struggle  cannot  be  determined  with  certainty, 
the  general  position  of  Gethsemane  is  clear;  and  then,  as 
now,  the  checking  moon-light,  the  gray  leaves,  the  dark 
brown  trunks,  the  soft  green  sward,  the  ravine  with  Olivet 
cowering  towards  the  east,  and  Jerusalem  to  the  west,  must 
nave  been  the  main  external  features  of  a  place  which  must 
oe  regarded  with  undying  interest  while  time  shall  be,  aa 
the  place  where  the  Saviour  of  the  world  entered  alone  intc 
the  valley  of  the  shadow."  Beautifully  does  Oliver  Craw 
say: 

Gethsemane,  thine  olive  grove 
A  welcome  screen  for  Jesus  wove, 

To  veil  his  agony; 
Oh,  when,  thou  lone  and  hallowed  spot, 
Can  be  by  friend  or  foe  forgot, 

Thy  midnight  mystery  ? 

Beneath  the  darkness  of  thy  shade 
The  agonizing  Saviour  prayed; 

And,  from  the  anguish  felt, 
Great  drops,  as  it  were  bloody  sweat, 
Streamed  down  his  cheeks,  and,  falling,  wet 

The  ground  whereon  ne  knelt. 


(58) 

A  world  in  that  dark  midnight  h*or, 
While  coping  with  Satanic  pow«r, 

He  bore  on  bended  knee; 
Alone  the  burden  he  sustained, 
Alone  the  victory  he  gained, 

In  thee,  Gethsemane. 

Gethsemane,  thy  name  is  graved 
Deep  on  the  hearts  of  all  the  saved, 

And  cannot  be  erased; 
For,  till  eternity  shall  end, 
Oh,  who  in  full  can  comprehend 

The  scene  in  thee  embraced? 

Draw  near,  my  heart,  and  gaze  anew, 
Where  Jesus  on  that  night  withdrew, 

To  bear  the  load  for  thee ; 
Come  read  the  love  that  in  him  wrought, 
Come  linger  long  in  tender  thought, 

In  lone  Gethsemane. 


The  Story  of  His  Death. 

"  It  is  finished :  and  he  bowed  his  head,  and  gave  up  ifee 
ihost " — John  xix.  30. 

When  I  survey  the  wondrous  cross 

On  which  the  Prince  of  Glory  died, 
My  richest  gain  I  count  but  loss, 

And  pour  contempt  on  all  my  pride. 

During  a  war  in  Europe,  the  commander  of  a  fort  sent  a 
*,ldier  to  find  out  the  plans  of  the  enemy.  The  man  found- 
that  the  enemy  had  undermined  the  fort,  placed  many  kegs 
of  powder  under  it,  and  had  laid  a  train  from  the  mine  to 
where  they  could  ignite  it,  and  blow  up  all  in  the  fort.  The 
6oldier  started  for  the  fort  to  make  known  his  discovery, 
that  a  way  of  escape  might  be  provided ;  but  he  was  seen 
by  the  enemy,  and  they  shot  him.  He  fell  not  far  from  the 
train  of  powder,  which  led  from  the  mine  under  the  fort 


(59) 


''CERTAINLY  THIS  was  a  ri<;utf.ous  man."—  ..uke  xxiii.  47- 


to  the  camp  of  the  foe.  Fearing  their  plans  were  discovered, 
they  fired  the  train.  The  flame  went  leaping  along,  until 
"<t  reached  the  dying  soldier,  when  it  expired  ;  he  had  rolled 
over  until  he  lay  across  the  train  of  powder,  the  blood  run- 
ning from  his  wound  soaked  in  the  powder,  and  thus  cut 
oft  the  flame.  The  soldiers  hearing  the  firing,  came  out  of 
the  fort,  met  the  enemy,  repulsed  them  and  were  saved. 

Satan  had  undermined  the  world,  and  the  race  was  in 
danger  of  total  destruction.  Jesus  left  his  heavenly  home, 
came  to  earth,  shed  his  blood,  turned  aside  the  fire  of  hell, 
and  made  salvation  sure,  for  the  blood  of  the  Lord  Jesuu 
Christ  cleanses  us  from  all  siiu 

After  suffering  in  the  garden  and  gaining  the  victory,  hh 
was  betrayed  by  Judas,  taken  to  Annas  the  high-priest,  sent 
to  Caiaphas  and  the  Sanhedrim, charged  with  "blasphemy ; " 
then  sent  to  the  iudgment  hall  of  Pontius  Pilate,  the 
Roman  governor.  Here  the  charge  of  blasphemy  was 
dropped,  and  he  was  charged  with  "  setting  at  naught  the 
national  authority,  forbidding  the  payment  of  tribute,  and 
calling  himself  a  king."  He  was  tound  innocent  by  PilaLe, 
who  sent  him  to  Herod.  Jesus  refused  to  answer  his  im- 
pertinent tjUestions,  and  Herod  "set.  Jesus  at  na ight, 
mocked  him  and  arrayed  him  in  a  gorgeous  robe  and  sent 
him  back  to  Pilate,"  who  offered  to  release  him;  but tne 
mob,  influenced  by  the  high-priests,  demanded  his  d?a£h, 
crying  out :  "  Crucify  him !  Crucify  him."  Jesus  was 
scourged  by  the  Roman  guard,  a  crown  of  thorns  placed  on 
;  his  noble  head,  and  a  robe  of  purple  thrown  in  mockery 
over  his  shoulders.  Then,  clothed  in  his  own  garment,  a 
reed  was  placed  in  his  hand  for  a  sceptre,  while  the  rabble 
mocked,  and  cried  out :  "  Hail,  King  of  the  Jews."  Then 
he  was  ltd  to  Golgotha. 

O  holy  Lamb  of  God ! 

Must  thou  to  slaughter  go! 
And  on  thy  sinless  shoulders  bear 

Our  neritage  of  woe  ( 


C«1J 

eaa&BJK  our  grfcRff 
Out  stripes  be  iaid  on  the*  f 
The  sins  of  many  must  tboc  taitv 
And  thou  our  ransom  be  I 

/esus  was  led  from  Jerusalem  to  Golgotha — the  place  of 
a  skull— followed  by  a  great  company  of  people,  and  of 
women,  which  also  bewailed  and  lamented  him :  "  He  car- 
ried his  own  cross  until  he  fell  exhausted,  when  Simon,  a 
Syrenian,  bore  it  for  him,"  reaching  the  place  where 

Was  wrought 
The  tragedy  that  moved  the  universe, 
And  moulded  all  its  destinies  anew. 

The  cross  was  laid  on  the  ground,  and  Jesus  laid  on  the 
^oss ;  cruel  hands  drove  the  nails  through  his  tender  hands 
and  feet  The  cross,  with  its  precious  load,  being  lifted  up 
over  the  place  dug  for  its  reception,  was  let  go,  and  as  it 
struck  the  ground,  the  quivering  form  of  Jesus  started  a 
wave  of  influence  that  yet  sweeps  through  the  world.  There 
he  hung,  for  long,  weary  hours ;  his  wounds  burning,  his 
nerves  straining,  his  heart  bleeding,  reviled  and  persecuted, 
yet  in  the  midst  of  all  interested  in  the  salvation  of  a  souL 

On  either  side  of  Jesus  was  a  cross,  on  each  side  of  which 
hang  a  thief:  one  rejected  Christ,  the  other  accepted  him: 
**  Lord,  remember  me  when  thou  comest  into  thy  kingdom.* 
To  which  he  responded  :  "This  day  shalt  thou  be  with  me 
in  Paradise."  The  slow  hours  dragged  away,  during  which 
he  prayed  for  his  enemies,  placed  his  mother  in  John's  care, 
showed  the  human  was  alone,  by  exclaiming :  "My  God 
why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?"  but  showed  the  presence  oi 
God  with  his  spirit:  "  Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commend 
my  spirit"  He  gave  up  the  ghost,  bowed  his  head  and 
died. 

Jesus  died  broken-hearted.  Cunningham  Geikie  says: 
"  The  immediate  cause  of  death  appears,  beyond  question, 


l«9 

to  have  been  the  rupture  of  his  heart,  brought  about  by 
mental  agony.  Excess  of  joy  or  grief  is  known  to  induce 
the  bursting  of  some  division  of  the  heart,  and  the  conse- 
quent flow  of  blood  into  the  pericardium,  or  bag,  filled  with 
colorless  scum  like  water,  in  which  the  heart  is  suspended. 
In  ordinary  cases,  only  examination  after  death  discovers 
the  fact,  but  in  that  of  our  Lord  the  same  end  was  answeied 
l»y  the  thrust  of  the  soldier's  spear.  In  a  death  from  heart 
rupture  the  hand  is  suddenly  carried  to  the  front  of  the 
chest,  and  a  piercing  shriek  uttered.  The  hands  of  Jesus 
were  nailed  to  the  cross,  but  the  appalling  shriek  is 
recorded."  As  you  look  upon  this  blood-stained  scene, 
think:  "  This  I  have  done  for  thee."  As  you  look  over 
your  own  life,  answer  his  question  :  "  What  hast  thou  done 

forme?" 

But  drops  of  grief  can  ne'er  repay 

The  debt  of  love  I  owe. 
Here,  Lord,  I  give  myself  to  thee — 

'Tis  all  that  I  can  do. 

Jesus  died,  but  nature  proved  him  divine.  From  twelve 
to  three  o'clock,  darkness  hung  over  the  world.  The  earth 
was  shaken,  the  rocks  were  rent,  not  with,  but  across  the 
natural  seam,  showing  it  was  no  ordinary,  but  an  almighty 
convulsion  of  nature.  The  graves  were  open,  the  dead 
came  forth,  and  appeared  to  many.  The  plan  of  salvation 
had  been  worked,  and  the  agony  of  Jesus  finished.  Joseph 
obtained  his  body,  and  with  the  assistance  of  loving  friends 
it  was  wrapped  in  linen  and  spices,  and  laid  in  a  new  tomb, 
with  a  stone  rolled  across  its  mouth,  and  a  Roman  guard 
set  to  watch  it :  "And  thus  the  Redeemer  was  left — pale  but 
victorious — to  sleep  through  the  Sabbath." 


The  Story  of  His  Resurrection. 
"  He  is  not  here;  for  he  is  risen?  as  he  said.     Come,  see 
the  place  where  the  Lord  lay." — Matt,  xxviii.  6. 


(63) 

We  shall  sleep,  but  not  forever : 

There  will  De  a  glorious  dawn ; 
We  shall  meet  to  part,  no,  never, 

On  the  resurrection  morn. 

The  beautiful  life  seemed  to  be  closed ;  friends  were  broker* 
hearted,  his  enemies  were  triumphant.  The  gloom  or 
disappointment  settled  over  loved  ones.  They  said  :  "  We 
trusted  this  had  been  he  who  should  have  redeemed  Israel.'1 
How  human  they  were!  In  the  dark  hour  of  adversity 
they  forgot  his  teaching  when  in  prosperity.  At  the  bitter 
water  of  Marah  they  forgot  the  miraculous  deliverance  at  the 
Red  sea.  Sorrow  for  a  season  hid  faith,  but  Christ  was 
mighty  and  his  truth  prevailed.  Christ  entered  the  tomb, 
but  Satan  could  not  hold  him  there ;  he  unclasped  the 
fingers  of  death,  and  came  forth  King  of  kings. 

The  morning  of  the  third  day  came,  and  the  first  Easter 
dawn  greeted  a  new  world.  The  sting  of  death  had  been 
plucked,  and  the  victory  over  the  grave  had  been  won. 
The  earth,  which  grew  black  in  the  face  when  he  died,  shook 
as  he  came  forth.  The  soldiers,  amazed,  reported  the  fact, 
and  the  man  who  put  Christ  to  death  put  in  circulation  the 
story  that  his  body  was  stolen  while  the  guards  slept ;  and 
every  infidel  to-day  helps  keep  the  story  in  circulation,  be- 
cause "  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  is  the  basis  of  Christianity." 
If  the  foundation  be  destroyed,  the  structure  will  fall. 

It  may  be  well  to  notice  the  following  facts : 

1.  Christ  was  dead.  He  was  examined  by  Roman  and 
Jewish  authority,  and  to  make  his  death  certain,  a  spear 
was  thrust  into  his  side.  From  the  wound  there  came  out 
blood  and  water,  showing  that  the  sack  enclosing  the  heart 
had  been  ruptured,  and  death  had  taken  place. 

2.  He  was  laid  in  a  new  tomb.  No  man  had  ever  lain  in 
it  before.  Hence  there  was  no  chance  to  substitute  another 
body  for  his.  His  body  being  placed  there  by  his  friends 
in  presence  of  his  enemies,  there  can  be  no  uncertainty 
here. 


(*fe) 


(fir,) 

3.  A  guard  of  Roman  soldiers  wae  placed  at  the  tomb. 
It  was  death  to  sleep  while  on  guard,  and  it  is  not  reasonable 
to  suppose  the  guard  slept,  or  that  they  all  slept  at  the  same 
time,  or  that  they  would  all  sleep  at  the  same  time,  and 
sleep  through  an  earthquake,  or  that  they  would  not  know 
who  took  the  body. 

4.  The  soldiers  themselves  announced  the  resurrection  of 
Jesus  to  those  who  employed  them,  and  they  made  up 
the  story  of  the  body  being  stolen,  and  the  soldiers  made  the 
best  of  the  situation,  and  accepted  a  bribe  for  a  false  report 
to  the  world. 

5.  The  folded  clothes  show  Jesus  was  not  stolen.  If  the 
disciples  had  desired  and  had  found  it  possible  to  take  the 
oody  while  guarded,  they  would  not  have  gone  to  the 
trouble  of  taking  off  his  clothes,  taken  the  time  to  fold 
them  up,  and  carried  off  the  nude  body,  which  would  have 
been  much  more  difficult  than  if  clothed. 

6.  The  resurrection  of  Christ  was  a  manifestation  of  power 
essential  to  prove  the  truth  of  his  words.  He  said  :  "  I 
have  power  to  lay  down  my  life  and  power  to  take  it  up 
again ; "  and  on  the  cross  he  said :  "  My  God,  why  hast 
thon  forsaken  me?  "  His  resurrection  proved  that  he  had 
the  power  to  lay  down  his  life  and  power  to  take  it  up  again. 

7.  His  resurrection  is  the  earnest  of  our  own :  "  If  in  thia 
life  only  we  have  hope  in  Christ,  we  are  of  all  men  most 
miserable."  By  his  resurrection  we  are  linked  to  the  future. 
Death  is  only  a  tunnel  on  the  road  to  heaven.  The  boasting 
of  death  is  only  the  hum  of  a  drone  bee  ;  there  is  no  power 
to  back  it  up.  "  The  sting  of  death  is  sin,  and  the  strength 
of  sin  is  the  law  ;  but  thanks  be  to  God  who  giveth  us  the 
victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

The  resurrection  of  Christ  brought  around  three  great 
changes : 

1.  In  Christ:  His  body  had  some  of  the  glory  he  had 
with  the  Father  before  the  world  was.    Mary  did  not  know 


(66) 

him  until  he  called  her  by  name.  The  disciples  on  the 
way  to  Emmaus  did  not  recognize  him  until  by  an  act  he 
was  revealed  unto  them. 

2.  In  the  disciples :  They  became  bold  workers.  During 
the  trial,  they  had  played  the  coward.  After  his  resurrection 
their  cowardice  fled,  and  they  braved  the  whole  world,  and 
preached  Jesus.     True  conversion  drives  away  cowardice. 

3.  In  the  world :  It  was  made  alive.  Through  Adam  it 
was  lost.  The  resurrection  placed  it  in  a  position  to  be 
saved.  The  letter  which  killeth  was  supplemented  with  the 
spirit  which  giveth  life;  and,  inoculated  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  it  is  preparing  for  a  final  physical,  intellectual  and 
spiritual  triumph. 

The  Buried  Flower. 

Mrs.  S.  H.  Bradford. 

In  the  course  of  his  wanderings  among  the  Pyramids  of 
Egypt,  Lord  Lindsay,  the  celebrated  English  traveller,  acci- 
dentally came  across  a  mummy,  the  inscription  upon  which 
proved  to  be  at  least  two  thousand  years  old.  In.  examining 
the  mummy  after  it  was  carefully  unwrapped  he  found  en- 
closed in  one  of  its  hands  a  small  round  root.  Wondering 
how  long  vegetable  life  could  last,  he  took  the  little  bulb  from 
that  closed  hand  and  planted  it  in  a  sunny  soil,  allowed 
the  dew  and  rains  of  heaven  to  descend  upon  it,  and  in 
course  of  time,  a  few  weeks,  to  his  astonishment  and  joy 
that  root  burst  forth  and  bloomed  into  a  beautiful  flower. 

Two  thousand  years  ago  a  flower 

Bloomed  lightly,  in  a  far-off  land; 
Two  thousand  years  ago  its  seed 

Was  placed  within  a  dead  man's  hand. 

Before  the  Saviour  came  to  earth 

That  man  had  lived  and  loved  and  died, 

And  even  in  that  far-off  time 
The  flower  had  spread  its  perfume  wide. 


167) 

Suns  rose  and  set,  years  came  and  weat* 
The  dead  hand  kept  its  treasure  well- 

Nations  were  born  and  turned  to  dust, 
While  life  was  hidden  in  that  shell. 

The  shriveled  hand  is  robbed  at  last; 

The  seed  is  buried  in  the  earth* 
When  lo!  the  life  long  hidden  there 

Into  a  glorious  flow'r  burst  forth. 

Just  such  a  plant  as  that  which  grew 

From  such  a  seed  when  buried  low, 
Just  such  a  flower  in  Egypt  bloomed, 

And  died  two  thousand  years  ago. 

And  will  no*  He  who  watched  the  seed 

And  kept  the  life  within  the  shell, 
When  those  he  loves  are  laid  to  rest, 

Watch  o'er  their  ouried  dust  as  well  ? 

And  will  not  He  from  'neath  the  sod 

Cause  something  glorious  to  arise  ? 
Aye !  though  it  sleep  tivo  thousand  years. 

Yet  all  that  buried  dust  shall  rise. 

Just  such  a  face  as  greets  you  now, 

Just  such  a  form  as  here  we  bear, 
Only  more  glorious  far,  will  rise 

To  meet  the  Saviour  in  the  air. 

Then  will  I  lay  me  aown  in  peace 
Wlien  called  to  leave  the  vale  of  tears, 

For  "  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God,  " 
E'en  though  I  sleep  two  thousand  years. 

The  Story  of  His  Ascension. 

-'And  when  he  had  spoken  these  things,  while  they  be 
held,  he  was  taken  up ;  and  a  cloud  received  him  out  of 
their  sight." — Acts  i.  9. 

Rise,  glorious  conqueror,  rise 
Into  thy  native  skies — 
Assume  thy  right ; 


u  WHILE  THEY  JJEHELD,   HE   WAS  TAKEN    UP."—  Acts  \. 


(69) 

And  when  in  many  a  fold 
The  clouds  are  backward  rolled, 
Pass  through  the  urates  of  gold, 
And  reign  in  light 

After  his  resurrection  Jesus  remained  on  earth  forty  days, 
during  which  time  he  appeared  frequently  to  his  disciples. 
His  first  appearance  was  to  Mary  Magdalene,  and  the  last 
to  his  disciples  when  he  ascended:  "And  he  led  them  out 
as  far  as  to  Bethany,  and  he  lifted  up  his  hands  and  blessed 
them.  And  it  came  to  pass,  while  he  blessed  them,  he  was 
parted  from  them,  and  carried  up  into  heaven." — Luke  xxiv. 
50,  51.  The  disciples  saw  him  depart:  "And  when  he  had 
spoken  these  things,  while  they  beheld,  he  was  taken  up- 
and  a  cloud  received  him  out  of  their  sight." — Acts  i.  9. 

Christ  had  before  spoken  of  this  ascension :  "  What  and 
if  ye  shall  see  the  Son  of  man  ascend  up  where  he  was 
before." — John  vi.  62.  David  also  referred  to  it :  "  Thou 
hast  ascended  on  high,  thou  hast  led  captivity  captive : 
thou  hast  received  gifts  for  men ;  yea,  for  the  rebellious 
also,  that  the  Lord  God  might  dwell  among  them." — Psa. 
Ixviii.  18.  It  must  have  been  a  day  of  jubilee  in  heaven 
when  Christ  entered,  and  angels  could  sing :  "  Lift  up  your 
heads,  O  ye  gates ;  even  lift  them  up,  ye  everlasting  doors  ; 
and  the  King  of  glory  shall  come  in.  Who  is  this  King  of 
glory?  The  Lord  of  hosts,  he  is  the  King  of  glory. 
Selah."— Psa.  xxiv.  9,  10. 

It  was  essential  that  Christ  leave  earth.  He  said  :  "  I 
go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you."  This  preparation  is 
through  his  mediatorial  work:  "And  if  any  man  sin,  we 
-have  an  advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous." 
— 1  John  ii.  1.  Be  encouraged,  then;  Jesus  is  interested  in 
earth.  When  he  entered  heaven  he  sat  down:  "He  was 
received  up  into  heaven,  and  sat  on  the  right  hand  of  God." 
— Mark  xvi.  19,  When  Deacon  Stephen  was  about  to  die, 
Jesus  stood  up  to  watch  him :  "  Behold,  I  see  the  heavens 


(70) 

ipened,  »nd  thv  Son  of  man  standing  on  the  right  hand  of 
f'-od,"-  Acta  vii  6o\  He  sat  down  to  receive  the  worship 
Ql  angels  ,  Lit  ^too<   up  to  watch  a  dying  saint 

ihis  is  mi  old,  old  story: 

Say,  do  you  take  it  in  f — 
This  ffoiiderftil  Redemption, 

God  a  Itemed  y  for  sin  ? 

Do  yon  ;t,/  fieai  I  believe  it? 

Do  \  ou  bt- lieve  it's  true, 
And  .neant  foi  every  sinner, 

And  therefore,  meant  for  you  t 

*iieu  LAKE  this  "GREAT  SALVATION,'* 

For  Jesus  loves  to  give ! 
'  elieve  !  and  you  receive  it! 
Believe!  and  you  shall  live! 

And  if  this  simple  message 

Has  now  brought  peace  to  you, 
Make  known  "  the  old,  old  story;" 

For  others  need  it,  too. 

Let  everybody  see  it, 

That  Christ  has  made  you  freej 
And  if  it  sets  them  longing, 

Say,  "  Jesus  died  for  THEEl" 


He  will  Come  Again. 

Christ  will  come  again.  He  said  :  "And  if  I  go  and  pre- 
pare a  place  for  }'ou,  I  will  come  again,  and  receive  you, 
unto  myself,  that  where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also." 
When  the  disciples  were  looking  after  their  ascended  Lord 
two  messengers  said  to  them :  "  Ye  men  of  Galilee,  why 
stand  ye  gazing  up  into  heaven  ?  This  same  Jesus,  which  is 
taken  up  from  you  into  heaven,  shall  so  come  in  like  man- 
ner as  ye  have  seen  him  go  into  heaven."  Christ  came 
through  his  spirit,  but  he  is  also  coming  in  person :  "  Be* 


(71) 

hold,  he  cometh  with  clouds ;  and  every  eye  shall  see  him, 
and  they  also  which  pierced  him;  and  all  kindreds  of  the 
earth  shall  wail  because  of  him.     Even  so.     Amen.'' 

The  following  lines  were  written  by  a  young  girl  in  Wales, 
and  brought  to  this  country  by  a  college  student.  They 
were  published  in  the  Golden  Rule,  under  the  title,  "A  Frag* 
ment."  Read  them,  and  you  will  be  ready  to  exclaim  with 
John :  "  Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus." 

The  cry :  u  He  comes — 
The  signs  are  sure — all  lands  are  armed  for  war— 
The  mystic  number  is  fulfilled — He  comes  I " 

We  answer :  Oh,  that  He  would  come !  we  want 
The  Christ !  we  want  a  God  to  burn  the  truth 
Afresh  upon  the  forehead  of  the  world  I 

We  want  a  man  to  walk  once  more  among 
The  wrangling  Pharisees,  to  drive  the  beast 
And  money-mongers  from  the  temple  courts : 
To  bring  the  Gospel  back  again,  and  prove 
How  all  unlike  the  churches  are  to  Christ! 
We  want  the  Christ  to  tell  again  "the  saints" 
Their  sins,  that  they  were  sent  to  bless  the  poor, 
And  they  have  sold  themselves  unto  the  rich; 
That  they  were  sent  to  preach  the  works  of  peace, 
And  they  have  filled  the  world  with  war  of  words; 
That  they  were  sent  as  messengers  of  love, 
And  they  have  driven  love  out  of  the  creeds; 
That  they  were  sent  to  teach  men  not  to  lie, 
Nor  tremble  when  their  duty  led  to  death. 

Oh,  for  the  Christ  again !  He — He  would  dare 
To  tell  the  churches  how  they  lie  and  cant, 
And  talk  of  serving  God — and  serve  themselves; 
And  talk  of  saving  souls — to  save  their  "cause;" 
And  pare  and  narrow  God's  divinest  truth 
Until  a  man  can  hardly  be  a  man 
And  member  of  a  church. 

Already  Christ  is  coming.    Hear  ye  not 

The  foot-falls  of  the  Lord  ?    He  tramples  down 


(72) 

The  cruel  hedges  men  have  built  about 

The  gate  that  leads  to  heaven.     He  rends  the  creeds. 

And  gives  their  tatters  to  the  merry  winds. 

He  does  not  come  as  bigots  prophesy, 

To  choose  a  handful  and  to  damn  the  rest; 

To  found  a  Jewish-Gentile  kingdom  here, 

And  roll  the  world  into  the  past  again. 

He  comes  the  spirit  of  a  riper  age, 

When  all  that  is  not  good  or  true  shall  die — 

When  all  that's  bad  in  custom,  false  in  creed; 

And  all  that  makes  the  boor  and  man  the  man 

Shall  pass  away  forever.     Yes,  He  comes 

To  give  the  world  a  passion  for  the  truth, 

To  inspire  us  with  a  holy,  human  love, 

To  make  us  sure  that,  ere  a  man  can  be 

A  saint,  he  first  must  be  a  man. 


What  Great  Men  Think  of  Jesus. 

The  thoughts  of  a  few  noted  characters  will  bring  to  a 
focus  The  Story  of  Jesus,  viz. :  he  is  more  than  human : 
he  is  Divine.  I  will  not  quote  here  the  confession  of  New 
Testament  characters,  though  they  all,  from  Paul,  u  the 
Plato  of  Christianity,"  to  Pilate,  "  the  patronizing  ruler  of 
Judea,"  are  expressed  in  the  words  of  Martha:  "I  believe 
that  thou  art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  which  should  come 
into  the  world." 

My  object  is  to  quote  a  few  writers  who  oppose  Christian- 
ity, directly  and  indirectly,  and  show,  that  while  they  may 
oppose  Christians,  they  unite  with  New  Testament  char- 
acters in  acknowledging  Christ  to  be  more  than  any  other 
man,  and  they  thus  hasten  the  day  when  "  every  tongue 
should  confess  that  Jesus  Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  ot  God 
the  Father." 

Richter,  "recognized  as  a  satirist,  of  orthodox  Chris- 
tianity," calls  Jesus  "  the  purest  of  the  mighty,  the 
mightiest  of  the  pure  ;  who,  with  his  pierced  hands,  razed 
empires  from  their  foundations,  turned  the  stream  of  his- 


(73) 

tory  from  its  old  channels,  and  still  continues  to  rule  and 
guide  the  ages." 

Goethe,  the  great  poet,  called  the  "German  Voltaire," 
says:  "  I  esteem  the  Gospels  to  be  thoroughly  genuine,  for 
there  shines  forth  from  them  the  reflected  splendor  of  a 
sublimity,  proceeding  from  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ,  of 
so  divine  a  kind  as  only  the  divine  could  ever  have  mani- 
fested upon  earth." 

Strauss,  "the  corypheus  of  modern  skepticism,"  says:  Jesus 
"  remains  the  highest  model  of  religion  within  the  reach  of 
our  thought ;  and  no  perfect  piety  is  possible  without  his 
presence  in  the  heart." 

Rousseau,  "in  some  respects  in  sympathy  with  Chris- 
tianity, and  in  other  respects  antagonistic  to  it,"  drew  a 
comparison  between  Christ  and  Socrates.  Speaking  of  the 
death  scene,  he  says :  "  Jesus,  while  suffering  the  sharpest 
pains,  prays  for  his  most  bitter  enemies.  If  Socrates  lived 
and  died  like  a  philosopher,  Jesus  lived  and  died  like  a 
God." 

Ernest  Renan  "  stands  out  so  boldly  in  his  opposition  to 
revealed  religion,"  that  what  he  says  on  this  point  is  worthy 
of  careful  consideration.  He  concludes  his  life  of  Jesus 
thus :  "  Whatever  may  be  the  surprises  of  the  future,  Jesus 
will  never  be  surpassed.  His  worship  will  grow  young, 
without  ceasing ;  his  legend  will  call  forth  tears  without 
end;  his  sufferings  will  melt  the  noblest  hearts;  all  ages 
will  proclaim  that,  among  the  sons  of  men,  there  is  none 
born  greater  than  Jesus." 

Matthew  Arnold,  "  who  likewise  has  arrayed  himself 
against  the  orthodox  world,"  says:  "Christ  came  to  reveal 
what  righteousness  really  is.  .  .  .  Nothing  will  do  except 
righteousness,  and  no  other  conception  of  righteousness 
will  do  except  Christ's  conception  of  it;  his  method  and 
%ecret.v 

Thomas  Carlyle  says :  "  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  our  divinest 


(74) 

symbol !  Higher  has  the  human  thought  not  reached.  A 
symbol  of  quite  perennial,  infinite  character,  whose  signifi- 
cance will  ever  demand  to  be  anew  inquired  into,  and  anew 
made  manifest." 

Such  acknowledgments  might  be  multiplied,  but  these 
are  sufficient  to  show  that  when  it  conies  to  the  Master,  all 
minds  are  a  unit.  They  admit  he  is  more  than  any  other  man. 
"  For  their  rock  is  not  as  our  rock,  even  our  enemies  them- 
selves being  judges."  If  interested  in  this  line  of  thought, 
purchase  Chautauqua  Text  Book,  No.  31,  by  L.  T.  Towns- 
end. 

The  following  conversation  between  Mr.  Emerson  and  the 
poet  Whittier  was  reported  to  Professor  Townsend.  It  con- 
tains such  a  good  point,  I  cannot  refrain  from  calling  your 
attention  to  it. 

"  The  perfect  man  has  not  yet  come,  but  is  to  come,"  said 
Mr  Emerson. 

"Thee  will  acknowledge,  Friend  Emerson,"  said  Mr. 
Whittier,  "  that  Jesus  is  the  most  perfect  of  all  men  who 
have  yet  appeared  ?  " 

"Yes,"  replied  Mr.  Emerson,  "  that  I  admit." 

"  Thee  will  acknowledge,"  continued  Mr.  Whittier,  "  that 
we  have  not  yet  reached  the  standard  which  the  life  of 
Christ  has  set  before  us." 

"  Yes,"  replied  Mr.  Emerson,  "  I  suppose  that  must  be 
granted." 

"  Then,"  said  Mr.  Whittier,  "  ought  thee  not  to  receive 
this  as  the  perfect  life  until  the  more  perfect  make*:  its 
appearance?" 

And  Mr.  Emerson  cast  his  calm,  blue  eye  into  the  empty 
•pace  and  was  silent. 

"And  being  made  perfect,  he  became  the  author  of  eternal 
salvation  unto  all  them  that  obey  him." — Heb.  v.  9. 


(75) 

The  Dear  Old  StorV. 

I  love  to  tell  the  story, 
Of  unseen  things  above, 

Of  Jesus  and  his  glory, 
Of  Jesus  and  his  love. 

I  love  to  tell  the  story, 

Because  I  know  it's  true; 
It  satisfies  my  longings 

As  nothing  else  can  do. 
I  love  to  tell  the  story : 

'  Twill  be  my  theme  in  glory 
To  tell  the  old,  old  story, 

Of  Jesus  and  his  love. 

I  love  to  tell  the  story : 

More  wonderful  it  seems 
Than  all  the  golden  fancies 

Of  all  our  golden  dreams. 
I  love  to  tell  the  story : 

It  did  so  much  forme ! 
And  that  is  just  the  reason 

I  tell  it  now  to  thee. 

I  love  to  tell  the  story : 

'  Tis  pleasant  to  repeat 
What  seems,  each  time  I  tell  it, 

More  wonderfully  sweet. 
I  love  to  tell  the  story  ; 

For  some  have  never  heard 
The  message  of  salvation 

From  God's  own  holy  word. 

I  love  to  tell  the  story ; 

For  those  who  know  it  best 
Seem  hungering  and  thirsting 

To  hear  it  like  the  rest. 
And  when,  in  scenes  of  glory, 

I  sing  the  NEW,  new  song, 

1  Twill  be— the  old,  old  stor? 

That  I  have  loved  so  long. 


(76) 

A  Lesson  in  Humility. 

A  Father  in  the  early  church  said,  There  are  three  steps 
to  heaven.  The  first  step  is  humility ;  the  second  step  is 
humility;  the  third  step  is  HUMILITY.  It  is  humility 
all  along  the  way. 

Christ  taught  humility  :  "  Whosoever  shall  exalt  himself 
shall  be  abased  ;  and  he  that  shall  humble  himself  shall  ho 
exalted." — Matt,  xxiii.  12.  He  not  only  taught  but  prac 
ticed  humility  :  "And  being  found  in  fashion  as  a  man,  he 
humbled  himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
death  of  the  cross.1' — Phil.  ii.  8. 

One  of  the  most  practical  lessons  in  humility  is  recorded 
by  John.  Jesus  "  riseth  from  supper,  and  laid  aside  hi* 
garments  and  took  a  towel,  and  girded  himself.  After  that 
he  poureth  water  into  a  basin,  and  began  to  wash  the  dis- 
ciples' feet,  and  to  wipe  them  with  the  towel  wherewith  he 
was  girded." — Read  John  xiii.  1-20,  and  when  troubled  by 
pride,  think  of  the  Master's  act  of  humility. 

The  bird  that  soars  on  highest  wing 
Builds  on  the  ground  her  lonely  nest; 

And  she  that  doth  most  sweetly  sing 
Sings  in  the  shade  when  all  things  restj 

In  lark  and  nightingale  we  see 
What  honor  hath  humility. 


An  Invitation. 
Reader,  we  have  journeyed  into  the  past;  heard  the  voice 
of  John  the  Baptist;  knelt  with  the  shepherds  around  the 
manger  ;  had  the  wonderful  name  fall  on  our  ear  ;  watched 
the  wise  men  offering  their  gifts  ;  followed  him  to  the  Jordan, 
where  he  was  baptized  ;  found  his  object  to  be  the  world's 
salvation  ;  saw  him  engage  in  his  great  work  ;  marvelled  as 
we  witnessed  his  wonderful  power;  rejoiced  as  he  was  ac- 
cepted  by   the   pure   of   heaven   and  the  best  of   earth ; 


(77) 

Borrowed  when  he  was  rejected  by  his  ows  nation  ;  wept  as 
he  knelt  in  Gethsemane;  shuddered  as   he  hung   in  agony 

on  the  cruris ;  smiled  with  gladness  as  lie  came  from  the 
grave;  watched  the  bright  clouds  receive  him  out  of  sight; 
heard  angels  say  he  would  come  again  ;  read  the  testimony 
of  opponents.  Now  let  me  ask  you  a  question  :  "  What 
think  ye  of  Christ?"  and  what  will  you  do  with  his  invita- 
tion ? 

You  may  be  only  three  steps  away.  Repentance  toward 
God,  Faith  toward  Christ  and  Obedience  toward  the  Holy 
Ghost  are  the  three  steps  that  will  put  you  on  the  Christian's 
platform.  Perhaps  you  have  taken  one,  and  are  only  two 
steps  away ;  or  you  may  have  taken  two,  and  are  only  one 
step  from  Christ : 

Only  a  step  to  Jesus ; 
Then  why  not  take  it  now  ? 

Oh,  take  that  step  now.  Obedience  is  the  test  of  repent- 
ance and  faith.  If  you  would  win  heaven,  obey  Christ : 
"  Blessed  are  they  that  do  his  commandments,  that  they 
may  have  right  to  the  tree  of  life,  and  may  enter  in  through 
the  gates  into  the  city." — Rev.  xxii.  14. 

Reader,  if  you  are  saved,  "  be  more  earnest,  more  to  the 
will  of  the  Lord."  Be  consecrated,  and  some  soul  may 
be  saved  through  your  work  for  Christ.  Miss  Havergal 
visited  some  friends.  There  wTere  ten  in  the  house.  She 
asked  God  to  give  her  all  ten  for  Christ's  sake :  "  and  he 
just  did."  The  last  night  she  was  too  happy  to  sleep  ;  she 
lay  awake  praising  God  :  "  and  renewal  of  my  own  conse- 
cration, and  these  little  couplets  formed  themselves  and 
chimed  in  my  heart,  one  after  another,  till  they  finished 
with  '  ever,  only,  all,  for  thee.''  " 

Take  my  life,  and  let  it  be 
Consecrated,  Lord,  to  thee  ; 
Take  my  hands,  and  let  them  move 
At  the  impulse  of  thy  love. 


(78) 

Take  my  feet,  and  let  them  be 
Swift  and  beautiful  for  thee ; 
Take  my  voice,  and  let  me  sing 
Always,  only,  for  my  King. 
Take  my  lips,  and  let  them  b« 
Filled  with  messages  for  thee; 
Take  my  silver  and  my  gold, — 
Not  a  mite  would  I  withhold. 
Take  my  moments,  and  ray  days, 
Let  them  flow  in  endless  praise; 
Take  my  intellect,  and  use 
Ev'ry  pow'r  as  thou  shalt  choose. 
Take  my  will,  and  make  it  thine; 
It  shaH  be  no  longer  mine ; 
Take  my  heart — it  is  thine  own- 
It  shall  be  thy  royal  throne. 
Take  my  love — my  Lord,  I  pour 
At  thy  feet  its  treasure-store ; 
Take  myself,  and  I  will  be 
Ever,  only,  all  for  thee. 


Jesus  in  Our  Dying  Hour. 

Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Fell  soft  as  downy  pillows  are, 
While  on  his  breast  we  lean  our  hetid, 

And  breathe  our  life  out  sweetly  there. 

Jesus  not  only  makes  the  present  life  bright,  and  the 
future  life  glorious,  but  he  safely  guides  us  from  one  to  the 
other,  through  the  tunnel  we  call  death,  which  is  dark  to 
the  sinner,  but  light  to  the  Christian.  The  experience  of 
many  prove  the  truth  of  his  words:  "  Lo,  I  am  with  you 
always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.     Amen." 

Alfred  Cookman  exclaimed  :  "  I  am  sweeping  through  the 
gates,  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb."  John  Fletcher 
expressed  his  dying  desire  :  "  O  how  this  soul  of  mine  longs 
to  be  gone,  like  a  bird  out  of  his  cage,  to  the  realms  of  bliss." 


<i9> 


SOMB  UNTO  ME,  ALL  YE  THAT  LABOR  AND  ARE  HEAVY  LADE*  *v>- 

I  \viu.  ©iv*  you  bbs*."— Matt.  xi.  2& 


Stephen,  looking  up  to  heaven,  said  :  "  Lord  Jesus,  receive 
my  spirit."  John  Edgar  Reed,  a  young  preacher,  ex- 
claimed :  "Jesus  Christ  is  such  a  fact,  the  greatest  fact  in 
all  the  universe." 

Martin  Luther  said  :  "  Thou  hast  redeemed  me,  0  Lord 
God  of  truth.  I  will  die  steadfast,  clinging  to  Christ  and 
to  the  doctrine  I  have  so  constantly  preached."  Miss  Mc- 
Pherson,  a  young  lady,  gave  utterance  to  these  beautiful 
words  :  "  The  crossing  must  be  near,  for  I  hear  the  rush  of 
the  endless  stream  ;  the  celestial  odors  touch  my  senses,  and 
a  strange  sweet  music  out  of  a  purer  world  is  in  all  the  air. 
With  me  it  is  the  dawn  of  a  new  day,  the  immortal;  and  I 
long  to  breathe  its  air  and  gather  its  fruits — to  see  Jesus  as 
he  is." 

If  Christ  brightens  the  present,  glorifies  the  future,  and 
takes  the  sting  from  death,  is  he  not  worth  accepting?  He 
says :  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden, 
and  I  will  give  you  rest."  Having  this  rest,  you  can  say: 
"But  thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us  the  victory, 
fhrough  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 


BS2421.M14 
The  story  of  Jesus. 

Princeton  Theological  Semmary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00056  6382 


